The XMaS beamline, located on an ESRF bending magnet, comprises a unique range of instrumentation for the study of magnetic and other materials in bulk, thin film and multilayer form. The instrumental facilities are described and their use illustrated with a range of recent scientific results.

The magnetic form factor of nickel has been measured at high momentum transfers on a new bending-magnet beamline at the ESRF. This study has enabled the high degree of polarization of the dipole source to be quantified.