The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility Extremely Brilliant Source (ESRF EBS) is the upgrade of the world-leading source of synchrotron X-rays and a centre of excellence for fundamental and innovation-driven research in condensed and living matter science. Operating more than 40 beamlines with state-of-the-art instrumentation, the ESRF serves ~10.000 scientists each year who study materials and living matter. With the Extremely Brilliant source (EBS), the world’s first fourth-generation of high-energy synchrotron, ESRF opens new vistas for X-ray science in imaging condensed and living matter from meter to nanometer scales, enabling scientists to address the global challenges facing our society such as health, climate changes and environment, but also energy and innovative industry.

Since its inception in 1988, the ESRF has driven synchrotron science worldwide. The ESRF partner countries from Europe and beyond – with the successful within-budget and on-time realisation of the EBS programme – have set a new standard in international collaboration. The ESRF EBS (Extremely Brilliant Source) is the facility upgrade that led to opening, in August 2020, the completely rebuilt first fourth-generation high-energy storage ring, bringing its scientific users a unique, low-emittance source and new, cutting-edge beamlines. With a revolutionary new storage ring concept that increases the brilliance and coherence of the X-ray beams produced by a factor of 100 compared to present-day light sources, ESRF EBS represents a new generation of synchrotron and an extraordinary new tool for scientists to study the heart of matter.