A call for proposals will open on September 2, 2026, and close on September 16, 2026 at 2 pm. Follow these links to read more about MAX IV Access modes, Call for proposals and proposal writing guide. Below you find more information about what MicroMAX offers.
All users are encouraged to contact the beamline staff before submitting a proposal, or to discuss an experiment idea. If you have any questions regarding the submission process, please contact MAX IV User Office.
Acknowledging Use of MicroMAX
Results from MicroMAX, in addition to the general acknowledgement for MAX IV, must include the following acknowledgement: “MicroMAX is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation under the grant number NNF17CC0030666”
Key capabilities
- Serial and time-resolved crystallography: The MD3-UP diffractometer is used for a wide range of sample-delivery methods, including fixed-targets (SPINE-based), high-viscosity extruder injectors, TapeDrive (from spring 2027), and user-specific setups with 3D-printed holders. The X-ray beam flux at sample position is above 1014 photons/s, with flexible focusing currently down to 5 μm. An X-ray chopper enables short X-ray pulses (down to 10 μs). Both the Eiger2 X CdTe 9M and Jungfrau 9M detectors are available, depending on the experimental requirements. For time-resolved studies, samples can be triggered using a nanosecond laser, laser diode, or mixing.
- Optical Spectroscopy (Auxillary): To support and complement time-resolved studies, MicroMAX offers offline UV/vis spectroscopy, including a tunable nanosecond laser. A time-resolved UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy setup is currently under development and will soon be available for operation. The setup also supports static (resonance) Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements.
- Single crystal rotational crystallography: Remote data collection at cryogenic condition is available with the MD3-UP diffractometer, ISARA sample changer and Eiger2 X CdTe 9M detector using the crystal monochromator (1013 photons/s) and CRL focusing. A top-hat beam profile from 20 to 300 μm, Jungfrau 9M and multilayer monochromator (1014 photons/s) are also available. Laser integration for time-resolved oscillation experiments is possible upon request.
- Ptychography imaging under cryogenic condition: Open for proposals in the Spring 2027 call for cryogenic ptychographic imaging of biological samples. Recent feasibility studies have demonstrated 50-100 nm spatial resolution with the current setup. Samples up to approximately 200 × 200 × 200 µm³ can be measured in their native state, without the need for staining or fixation. Please contact us to discuss the suitability of your samples and to learn more about the available imaging capabilities.
Sample preparations and labs
MicroMAX is equipped with three laboratories supporting sample preparation, offline testing prior to beamtime, and user-specific equipment.
For additional lab benches and equipment, including glovebox, the MAX IV supporting labs are available. More information can be found on the Support lab page.
Please book the lab at least two weeks in advance. Access to the biological and chemical labs requires an on-site introductory training, which can be requested through the same link. Access is valid for one year.
Note: For experiments requiring a glovebox, particularly under low-light conditions, we strongly recommend indicating this during proposal submission. We will then ensure that the glovebox is available when scheduling your beamtime.
Data handling and processing
All image data are stored in HDF5 format, with each dataset including a master file containing the experimental and instrument information. For (time-resolved) serial crystallography experiments, a CrystFEL-based processing pipeline is being developed in-house. As soon as data has been collected, the pipeline is launched automatically. More details can be found on Data handling and processing at MX.
During and after beamtime, users can process the data manually on the online and offline HPC clusters, respectively. In addition to the shared MAX IV computing resources, MicroMAX users have access to 20 dedicated CPU nodes (960 cores in total) and 2 GPU cards during beamtime.
General information
For shared facilities and procedures between MicroMAX and the sister MX beamline BioMAX (remote access, sample shipment preparation, data processing, etc.) see MX User Information.
For information about the MAX IV MX facilities, calls for proposals, applying for beamtime and training workshop, current and prospective users are welcome to subscribe to our mailing list. Please see https://groups.io/g/mxusers-maxiv.