Ultrahard X-ray Multifunctional Application Beamline at the SSRF

The Ultrahard X-ray Multifunctional Application Beamline (BL12SW) is one of the Phase-II Beamline Projects at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The primary X-ray techniques used at the beamline are high-energy X-ray diffraction and imaging using white and monochromatic light. The main scientific objectives of ultrahard X-ray beamline are focused on two research areas. One is the study of the structural properties of Earth’s interior and new materials under extreme high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, and the other is the characterization of materials and processes in near-real service environments. The beamline utilizes a superconducting wiggler as the light source, with two diamond windows and SiC discs to filter out low-energy light (primarily below 30 keV) and a Cu filter assembly to control the thermal load entering the subsequent optical components. The beamline is equipped with dual monochromators. The first was a meridional bending Laue monochromator cooled by liquid nitrogen, achieving a full-energy coverage of 30–162 keV. The second was a sagittal bending Laue monochromator installed in an external building, providing a focused beam in the horizontal direction with an energy range of 60–120 keV. There were four experimental hutches: two large volume press (LVP) experimental hutches (LVP1 and LVP2) and two engineering material (ENG) experimental hutches (ENG1 and ENG2). Each hutch was equipped with various near-real service conditions to satisfy different requirements. For example, LVP1 and LVP2 were equipped with a 200-ton DDIA press and a 2000-ton dual-mode (DDIA and Kawai) press, respectively. ENG1 and ENG2 provide in-situ tensile, creep, and fatigue tests as well as high-temperature conditions. Since June 2023, the BL12SW has been in trial operation. It is expected to officially open to users by early 2024.