An end-station for X-ray Raman scattering spectroscopy at beamline ID20 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is described. This end-station is dedicated to the study of shallow core electronic excitations using non-resonant inelastic X-ray scattering. The spectrometer has 72 spherically bent analyzer crystals arranged in six modular groups of 12 analyzer crystals each for a combined maximum flexibility and large solid angle of detection. Each of the six analyzer modules houses one pixelated area detector allowing for X-ray Raman scattering based imaging and efficient separation of the desired signal from the sample and spurious scattering from the often used complicated sample environments. This new end-station provides an unprecedented instrument for X-ray Raman scattering, which is a spectroscopic tool of great interest for the study of low-energy X-ray absorption spectra in materials under in situ conditions, such as in operando batteries and fuel cells, in situ catalytic reactions, and extreme pressure and temperature conditions.

The measurement of the middle ear transfer function usually requires invasive methods. An equivalent analog equivalent model enables us to evaluate its characteristics without damaging any part of the ear. A linear and a nonlinear model of the middle ear have been developed to predict intracochlear pressure and the stapes volume velocity for various sound pressure levels (SPL). The linear model results have been compared with human eardrum impedance and middle ear transfer function data. The nonlinear phenomena due to the contraction of the stapedius muscle over 80 dB and to the stapes clipping displacement above 120 dB are represented by a set of variable electrical components. The model of the acoustic reflex is based on experimental observations. The study of the annular ligament behavior was performed on cats and extrapolated to humans with some hypothetical restrictions. These approximations provide information on the middle ear transfer function and enable us to better understand the nonlinear middle ear mechanisms in an intense acoustic field.

An end-station for resonant inelastic X-ray scattering and (resonant) X-ray emission spectroscopy at beamline ID20 of ESRF - The European Synchrotron is presented. The spectrometer hosts five crystal analysers in Rowland geometry for large solid angle collection and is mounted on a rotatable arm for scattering in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The spectrometer is optimized for high-energy-resolution applications, including partial fluorescence yield or high-energy-resolution fluorescence detected X-ray absorption spectroscopy and the study of elementary electronic excitations in solids. In addition, it can be used for non-resonant inelastic X-ray scattering measurements of valence electron excitations.

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