A high-energy-resolution X-ray spectrometer has been commissioned at the SXFEL Facility, delivering single-shot resolving power beyond 20000 to provide support for fine-tuning and optimization of the machine, during scientific research. The fine structure of the individual spiky peak in the SASE spectrum is clearly resolved to characterize the pulse length of FEL radiation.

A VUV absorption spectroscopy branch has been developed upon a Fourier transform spectrometer; the general performances are described.

Pump–probe experiments are possible on liquid interfaces using the LISA instrument at P08 beamline PETRA III, DESY. The time scales available range from 38 ps to seconds.

X-ray absorption spectra can be recorded at different points in time during a cyclic voltammetry experiment. This time-resolved X-ray spectroelectrochemistry technique can be used to probe transient species formed at an electrode in solution.

A new photon-counting camera based on hybrid pixel technology has been developed at the SOLEIL synchrotron; it allows the implementation of pump–probe–probe hard X-ray diffraction experiments for the first time. A benchmark experiment was successfully performed, showing the advantages of the pump–probe–probe scheme.

In picosecond and slower pump–probe diffraction experiments the collection of response–ratio correlation sets prior to full data collection provides an invaluable confirmation of the existence of a light-induced signal prior to full data collection. If a response to light exposure is observed, the quality of the data being collected can be assessed.

The use of the bicone model is validated for extracting the form factor of gold bipyramids in solution from small-angle X-ray scattering data.

The efficiency of a small multi-analyser block of diffraction filtering, formed by a `single-crystal-comb' curved on a logarithmic spiral rigid support that allows 20–50 filtering measurements in parallel, is discussed and tested on a reference powder and on complex samples. It gives an excellent signal-to-noise ratio (1000/1) and drastically improves the detection thresholds of measurements (from 3–1% to 0.1%) to detect minor phases in studies of `real' heterogeneous materials.

The QEXAFS monochromator of the SAMBA beamline is presented; one example on a bimetallic catalyst illustrates its capability to quickly alternate the measurement of two far absorption edges by `edge jumping'.

An in-house-constructed SAXS/WAXS instrument dedicated to the study of a wide range of nanomaterials is described. The different parts of the instrument are described in detail, along with several calibration standards and examples from recent research.