Diamond sensors have been developed and tested for operation with high-energy X-ray beams at the European XFEL.

Two approaches to the design of a diamond sensor signal path were explored using high-intensity X-ray pulses from the LINAC Coherent Light Source at SLAC. Results on the charge-collection efficiency and signal collection time are presented over a range of approximately four orders of magnitude in the generated electron–hole plasma density.

The performance of state-of-the-art bi-concave 2D focusing diamond X-ray lenses produced via laser-ablation and improved via a polishing process is reported.

A new material for substrates of optical elements used under ultra-powerful X-ray beams is described – the diamond-silicon carbide composite Skeleton^®. The composition and structure of the material, its surface roughness with a technological coating of polycrystalline silicon and its thermophysical characteristics are studied.

A state-of-the-art multilayer deposition system has been developed at Diamond Light Source; this instrument is engineered to produce single and multilayer coatings, accommodating mirrors up to 2000 mm in length through the utilization of eight rectangular cathodes.

Results of an extensive measurement campaign aiming at exploiting the capabilities of a custom-built diamond-based device to monitor the time structures of VUV and X-ray synchrotron radiation light with sub-100 ps timescale are presented.

JEEP is a high-energy (50–150 keV) multi-purpose beamline offering polychromatic and monochromatic modes. It can accommodate large samples and experimental rigs, enabling in situ studies using radiography, tomography, energy-dispersive diffraction, monochromatic and white-beam two-dimensional diffraction/scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering.

The concept and practical implementation of a system for remote monitoring of the temperature of protein crystals down to 10 K using a microscopic bis­muth germanate scintillation sensor are presented.

An industrial robot is being successfully used to position a diffraction detector system at the DIAD beamline at Diamond Light Source. Weighing a total of 139 kg, the detector system can be positioned with a linear repeatability of <19.7 µm and a rotational repeatability of <16.3 µrad. The detector position stays stable for a 12 h period with <10.1 µm of movement for linear displacement, and <3.8 µrad for rotational displacement.

The implementation of a von Hámos spectrometer for diamond anvil cell experiments at the High Energy Density Instrument of the EuXFEL is described.