Welcome to the User Wiki for the Medium Energy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Beamlines (MEX-1 and MEX-2)

Potential NEW Users MUST CONTACT BEAMLINE STAFF at as-mex@ansto.gov.au to discuss the proposed measurements before submitting their proposal

Round 3 2025 Update - We will be accepting proposals for microspectroscopy at MEX1 for the first time in 2025/r3. See here for more detail on microspectroscopy capabilities at MEX1. If you are interested in submitting an application to use the MEX1 scanning fluorescence microprobe you MUST CONTACT BEAMLINE STAFF at as-mex@ansto.gov.au AFTER having read the following information.

Round 3 2025 Update - We will be accepting proposals for the Cryostat. Please contact us before submitting a proposal.

Round 3 2025 Update - We will be accepting proposals for in-situ battery cycling. For SULFUR BATTERY CYCLING, please contact us before submitting a proposal.

X-ray absorption analysis modes

STEP 1. Preparing a MEX Proposal Preparing your MEX proposal Guide to writing a technically feasible proposal	STEP 2. Preparing for Beamtime https://asuserwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AYAEbQ Preparing for your beamtime MEX-1 MEX-2	STEP 3. After your Beamtime Data analysis Publication with MEX

STEP 1. Preparing a MEX Proposal Preparing your MEX proposal Guide to writing a technically feasible proposal	STEP 2. Preparing for Beamtime https://asuserwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AYAEbQ Preparing for your beamtime MEX-1 MEX-2	STEP 3. After your Beamtime Data analysis Publication with MEX

Choosing an X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Beamline

MEX-1 Accessible Edges

3.5 - 13.8 keV

MEX-2 Accessible Edges

1.8 - 3.6 keV

MEX-1 Capabilities	MEX-2 Capabilities
3.5 - 13.8 keV	Flux curves for MEX2 DCM crystal sets: 1.8 - 3.6 keV Note Si<111> provides greater resolution than InSb<111>
Analysis modes Transmission and Fluorescence-mode	Analysis modes Drain current and Fluorescence-mode
Sample Environments Standard: room temperature under He Cryogenic (minimum 8 Kelvin) In-operando battery cycling Microprobe fluorescence mapping and micro-XANES Typical sample types: solids, static liquids, films, biological, minerals etc	Sample Environments Standard: room temperature under vacuum Liquids, static in-situ electrochemistry, in-operando battery cycling in He Cryogenic (not currently available) Typical sample types: solids, electrodes, biological, minerals etc
Beam size Vertically focused beam size: up to 5 mm horizontal x 0.5 mm vertical Vertically and horizontally focused beam size: up to 1 mm horizontal x 200 um vertical	Beam size Collimated only. Max beam size: 5 mm horizontal x 3 mm vertical. Can decrease size to 100 um with slits
Scan times ~5-10 mins	Scan times ~15 mins XANES ~30 mins EXAFS if energy range permits

MEX-1 OR XAS? Follow this flowchart!

For more information about the XAS Beamline, please visit the XAS User Wiki.

MEX-1 and MEX-2 are new beamlines which came online in late 2022 and early 2023. Our current capability is as of December 2025. For more information on MEX-1 and MEX-2, please see the linked pages below and the ANSTO website.

MEX Beamlines

Welcome to the User Wiki for the Medium Energy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Beamlines (MEX-1 and MEX-2)

STEP 1. Preparing a MEX Proposal

STEP 2. Preparing for Beamtime

STEP 3. After your Beamtime