The crystal structure of the recently reported La₃TiBi₅ phase is refined for the first time from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Structural analysis and first-principles calculations show the presence of undistorted linear Bi chains with hypervalent bonding.

The development of a novel experimental capability of nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at high pressure and low temperature is presented. The new capability is demonstrated by studying the Fe-specific phonon density of states and magnetism in Eu⁵⁷Fe₂As₂.

A new type of artifact is described, which was observed in a wide variety of inelastic neutron scattering spectra and which could easily be mistaken for a signature of real excitations.

The new ternary arsenide Rb₃Cu₃As₂ is isotypic with K₃Cu₃P₂. The structure features layers of inter­linked CuAs₂ linear moieties.

A study of the ternary Rh–Mn–Bi phase diagram revealed the existence of two new ternary bis­muthides, viz. hexa­rhodium penta­manganese octadecabismuthide (Rh₆Mn₅Bi₁₈) and rhodium manganese tribismuthide (RhMnBi₃). Their crystal structures represent new structure types.

Concepts and technical realization of the soft-X-ray ARPES facility at the Swiss Light Source are described. Its performance is illustrated by a few scientific applications ranging from three-dimensional materials to buried interfaces and impurities.

A sample preparation technique has been developed to enable the safe measurement of radioactive powders on the high-resolution powder diffraction beamline, ID31, at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.

A review of the LDA+DMFT method and examples of its applications to real materials with strong electronic correlations, including SrVO₃, V₂O₃, LiV₂O₄, iron pnictide materials, metallic cerium, NiO and MnO.

Synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements on BaFe_1.9Ru_0.1As₂ single crystals were performed at different temperatures across the spin-density wave/structural transition. A clear anomaly in the c-axis, As—Fe—As bond angle and Fe—As bond lengths has been observed close to the structural transition. These anomalies in structural parameters are analysed using ab initio electronic structure calculations

Resonant and non-resonant X-ray magnetic diffraction under high pressure (above 40 GPa) is comprehensively discussed and reviewed.