What science is done at the ESRF?

Imagine a source that produces X-rays 10 trillion times brighter than the X-rays used in hospitals or laboratories. These X-rays, endowed with exceptional properties, are produced at the ESRF - the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Using these X-rays, the ESRF functions like a “super-microscope”, which "films" the position and motion of atoms in condensed and living matter, and reveals the structure of matter in all its complexity.

• Measuring hard-to-detect quantities or properties, e.g. when a structure is very small, a sample is tiny or very dilute, or an effect is faint
• Observing physically hidden features, e.g. the buried portion of a fossil or the structure of a surface under a coating
• Stimulating atomic and molecular processes that require a lot of energy, e.g. identifying the chemical state of heavy elements such as chromium or uranium
• Observing processes that happen very fast, e.g. structural changes in biological proteins.

This is not by any means a comprehensive list. A look at our publication database and science programme documents will give an idea of the disciplines and techniques represented among ESRF users.

Research areas

The ESRF X-ray science programme aims to tackle global challenges with  brand-new generation of high-energy synchrotron :

• Health, Health Innovation, and overcoming cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases 
• Material for tomorrow and innovative and sustainable industry
• Clean Energy transition, sustainable energy storage and clean technologies
• Planetary (terrestrial and extra-terrestrial) research
• Environmental and climatic challenges, water supplies and earth atmosphere 
• Bio-based economy and food security 
• Humanity and world cultural heritage

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