ID16B: a hard X-ray nanoprobe beamline at the ESRF for nano-analysis

TLDR

ID16B is a new hard‑X‑ray nano‑analysis beamline at the ESRF, built to support high‑impact research in nanotechnology, earth and environmental sciences, and biomedical studies. The paper presents ID16B’s design, recent technical upgrades, and initial scientific findings. ID16B uses a canted undulator to deliver hard‑X‑ray nanobeams (5–70 keV) with ~50 nm lateral resolution, enabling simultaneous XRF, XRD, XES, XANES, and 2D/3D imaging, and incorporates an upgraded ID22 end‑station for enhanced spectroscopic capabilities. Early experiments confirm the beamline’s high‑resolution spectroscopic performance and provide preliminary scientific insights.

Abstract

Within the framework of the ESRF Phase I Upgrade Programme, a new state-of-the-art synchrotron beamline ID16B has been recently developed for hard X-ray nano-analysis. The construction of ID16B was driven by research areas with major scientific and societal impact such as nanotechnology, earth and environmental sciences, and bio-medical research. Based on a canted undulator source, this long beamline provides hard X-ray nanobeams optimized mainly for spectroscopic applications, including the combination of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, X-ray excited optical luminescence, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and 2D/3D X-ray imaging techniques. Its end-station re-uses part of the apparatus of the earlier ID22 beamline, while improving and enlarging the spectroscopic capabilities: for example, the experimental arrangement offers improved lateral spatial resolution (∼50 nm), a larger and more flexible capability for in situ experiments, and monochromatic nanobeams tunable over a wider energy range which now includes the hard X-ray regime (5–70 keV). This paper describes the characteristics of this new facility, short-term technical developments and the first scientific results.