X-ray absorption spectroscopy has progressed in the last twenty years to become one of the most widely used techniques in the science of materials. It helps identify the most absorbing element while specifying its chemical state (an oxidized metal will not give the same signal as a pure metal), the number and nature of neighboring atoms as well as their distance from the excited atom.

The principle of this line, which makes it possible to focus on the sample - without having to move - the entire energy range required for the instantaneous recording of the absorption spectrum, is particularly adapted for rapid kinetics experiments (in the area of a millisecond), as well as for absorption measurements under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. The main set of themes involves geosciences, chemical reactivity and the transitions of phases with particular emphasis on high-pressure magnetism.