User Programme

Yes.
The upgrade of the 3 GeV storage ring will require a period of planned downtime. We anticipate its duration to be up to 14 months. MAX IV is committed to minimizing the impact on users and to communicating the schedule with as much lead time as possible. The precise timeline will be defined as the technical design matures through 2026 and beyond. During the shutdown period, MAX IV will ensure continued scientific output through R1 and SPF, and is actively exploring how best to maximize the value of those platforms for users during this period.

MAX 4^U will require a planned installation period on the 3 GeV storage ring, but the upgrade strategy is designed to minimize disruption. During that time, beamlines on this ring will not participate in our user science programme. Detailed scheduling will be communicated well in advance to allow users to plan accordingly.
However, our beamlines on our 1.5 GeV storage ring and the Short Pulse Facility will continue to support our user science programme as usual.
Our goal remains to preserve our user science programme continuity as much as possible.

MAX IV is developing MAX 4^U with and for its user community.
As the first step in broad engagement with the user community, the first draft of the Science Case was presented in January 2026 at the User Meeting and is available on the MAX 4U^U webpage. The MAX 4^U Science Case continues to be developed by the Science Division throughout 2026 with direct input from and dialogue with the user community. Contributions and feedback are actively encouraged via workshops, our User Meeting, and direct engagement with science section leads, our beamline teams, advisory committees (e.g., Science Advisory Committee, University Reference Group), etc.

The community will also be engaged in submitting expressions of interest for the new beamline funded by the MAX 4^U project.

In addition, and as always, the community is welcome to discuss directly with beamline staff about technique developments and possible beamline upgrades.

You can also contact us at the following email: MAX4U@maxiv.lu.se.
Industrial users interested in contributing to the Science Case can contact the MAX IV Industry Office at IndustryOffice@maxiv.lu.se.

The 1.5 GeV storage ring (R1) and the Short Pulse Facility (SPF) are unaffected by the MAX 4^U upgrade. They are expected to remain in full operation throughout the upgrade period except for the usual yearly maintenance shutdowns. MAX IV is currently investigating how best to optimize the use of R1 during this period, both in terms of operational resilience and scientific capabilities, to maximize the output of the User Science Programme during the necessary downtime of the 3 GeV ring.

There will be no changes to the proposal review system as part of MAX 4^U.
The upgrade is focused on enhancing source performance and scientific capability.

MAX 4^U will enhance experimental efficiency and possibly throughput on some beamlines. Faster measurements and higher flux density could potentially increase overall scientific output per beamtime period.

• In-situ materials processing studies
• Corrosion research
• Nanomaterial synthesis optimization
• Autonomous materials discovery platforms
• Device-level characterization