W. Matz*°, N. Schell°, G. Bernhard, F. Prokert*, T. Reich, J. Claußner, W. Oehme, R. Schlenk, S. Dienel, H. Funke, F. Eichhorn*, M. Betzl*, D. Pröhl, U. Strauch°, G. Hüttig, H. Krug, W. Neumann, V. Brendler, P. Reichel* Forschungszentrum Rossendorf e.V. * Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research + Institute of Radiochemistry # Central Department Experimental Facilities and Information Technology ° Project Group ESRF-Beamline

The Rossendorf Beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is equipped with a unique radiochemistry experimental station. This dedicated station has been designed to perform environmentally relevant experiments on radionuclides, in particular actinides, using synchrotron based X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The technical concepts and the layout of this experimental station, where radioactive solids and liquids with activities of up to 185 MBq can be studied, are presented. The radiological safety of experimenters, equipment, and of the environment are ensured by the specially developed radiochemistry safety system. The multibarrier concept, the ventilation and air monitoring systems, the radiological protection system, and special software components for recording and visualisation of the safety status are described in detail.

The paper describes the Rossendorf beamline (ROBL) built by the Forschungszentrum Rossendorf at the ESRF. ROBL comprises two different and independently operating experimental stations: a radiochemistry laboratory for X-ray absorption spectroscopy of non-sealed radioactive samples and a general purpose materials research station for X-ray diffraction and reflectometry mainly of thin films and interfaces modified by ion beam techniques.