The Rossendorf Beamline at ESRF: the next 10 years of actinide XAFS

The Rossendorf Beamline as a dedicated X-ray absorption spectroscopy station for actinide research is in operation since 1998. It has served for hundreds of experiments in the past 10 years, ranging from Materials Science to Aquatic and Environmental Chemistry of actinides and other radionuclides. A short overview on research highlights will be given, including the current extensive work on redox processes.
The beamline’s strength is built on the high reliability and flux of the ESRF, which allows to run samples even at very low concentrations of a few ppm, and on the long experience with actinide EXAFS. After 10 years of operation, the beamline is ready to take the next step in order to further lower the concentration limits of XAFS and to extend the array of methods to -XRF, -XAFS and XRD. Essential optical components will be replaced parallel to the upgrade of the ESRF to increase the photon flux by about one order of magnitude to 1012 photons/sec on the sample, and to prepare the microfocus. Additional modifications like easily exchangeable monochromator crystals, additional mirror coatings and a routine quick-XAFS mode will widen the experimental possibilities without sacrificing the user friendly operation of the beamline.
These changes are planned for 2010, and will be installed and commissioned with little loss of beamtime. This is especially important, since the Rossendorf Beamline will continue to provide its facilities to the actinide community within the ACTINET network, in addition to the routine beamtime application paths via ESRF and FZD collaborations.
An overview on the current status of operation modes, technical details, access conditions and user support with advanced data analysis methods is presented, by updating earlier information and summarizing the features most important for prospective users.