Skip to main content Skip to navigation

XMaS: The UK Materials Science Facility at the ESRF

BAG Proposals

A Materials BAG at XMas/BM28 at the ESRF supports users exploiting spectroscopic studies. The new access route complements and runs alongside the existing Energy and Catalysis BAGs at B18@DiamondLink opens in a new window and provides mitigation against the upcoming shutdown of Diamond in 2027. The energy range available at B18 is 2.05-35 keV using both transmission and fluorescence modes. Since the ESRF EBS upgrade, the operational energy of XMaS ranges from 2.035 to 47 keV, also exploiting both transmission and fluorescence modes.

The XMaS Energy Material BAG will be split into three categories:

  • High Energy BAG (17 - 47 keV)
  • Middle Energy BAG (5 - 17 keV)
  • Low Energy BAG (E < 5 keV)

The Low Energy BAG requires a specific setup.

What is a BAG proposal? A BAG (Block Allocation Group) proposal is a community access proposal grouping together a number of independent research groups working in the field of material sciences, who apply together as a consortium for a regular allocation of beamtime at the XMaS/BM28 beamline. Each group has access to a maximum of eight hours of beam time for ex-situ measurements. This amount of time corresponds to about 30 measurements. The experiment and data collection are run by the University of Kent and XMaS staff. Samples must be sent to the University of Kent well in advance of the beamtime with a full safety declaration.

Deadline for application: The application process is continuous, however, to be considered for the High Energy BAG on July 23rd 2025, the deadline is 15th June 2025.

Who can apply? The Materials BAG is currently only available for UK based researchers.

How does it work? The BAG is coordinated by Dr Maria Alfredsson (m.l.alfredssson@kent.ac.uk) from the University of Kent. A short proposal with suitable justification should be submitted using the application_form along with a sample description form. Sample holders and instructions on how to prepare samples are provided by the University of Kent. Unless otherwise agreed, samples are sent to the University of Kent. The experiment and data collection are run by the University of Kent and XMaS staff.

Sample preparation: All the samples should be prepared as pellets or electrodes. If air sensitive samples, they can be sealed in pouch bags. Consult the video showing how to prepare pellets and pouch bags for sample optimisation. (include the link to our web site). Each user is allowed a maximum of 30 samples/measurements (5 by 6 sample holder) per BAG. (photo of the rack to be added).

Acknowledgements of the work perfomed using the BAG should acknowledge both the University of Kent and XMaS.