The 13th International Conference on Inelastic X-ray Scattering (IXS2024)

The 13th International Conference on Inelastic X-ray Scattering (IXS2024) was held at Arcrea Himeji (Himeji, Japan) from 8-13 September 2024 (https://ixs2024.jasri.jp/). The meeting was chaired by Alfred Q. R. Baron and co-chaired by Yoshiharu Sakurai, and organized by a committee based at SPring-8, including members of the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) and the RIKEN SPring-8 Center (RSC) via the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC). It was supported by the RSC, JASRI, Diamond Light Source, BESTEC, DECTRIS, JTEC Corporation, KOHZU, Huber, NIKI Glass, and the Himeji Convention and Visitors Bureau. The International Union of Crystallography, through the Commission of Quantum Crystallography, provided funding to help some young scientists to attend. A total of 101 participants from 16 countries attended the IXS2024 conference. In addition, 17 participants from the vendors contributed to the exhibition through the conference. The IXS conference series is a biennial event, and the next meeting, IXS2026, will be held in Argonne, United States, and hosted by the Advanced Photon Source.

The purpose of IXS2024 was to bring together scientists, from all over the world, interested in the use and development of inelastic X-ray scattering to address a broad range of scientific problems. IXS2024 provided an opportunity to share new scientific discoveries and the latest developments in instrumentation, theory and experimental approaches, and to discuss future directions in the fields. Topics included energy materials, quantum materials, soft or disordered materials, theory & calculation, earth science & extreme environments, in situ or operando measurements, new methods, facility upgrades and new instruments, and IXS-related techniques.

Four plenary talks presented overviews, including three on resonant inelastic X-ray scattering - one a general overview, one on experiments and one on model calculations - including its application to various oxides and correlated materials. There was also a topical review on the application of non-resonant X-ray scattering to advancing planetary and earth science. A total of 55 oral presentations and 25 poster presentations discussed electronic excitations, atomic dynamics and IXS-related instrumentation. These discussions contributed to extending the scope of quantum crystallography, in which crystalline materials are investigated within the framework of quantum mechanics. To encourage discussions between participants, particularly between senior and young scientists, and between scientists and vendors, coffee breaks and lunch were provided between 1.5 hour sessions throughout the conference. Furthermore, a get-together party on the evening of the first day, a half-day conference excursion to the Shoshazan Engyo-ji temple and a conference dinner at a sake-brewery restaurant were organized to cultivate friendly relationships. Finally, on the afternoon of the last day, we had a SPring-8 tour.

A scene from the conference excursion to the Shoshazan Engyo-ji temple.

A scene from the conference dinner at the sake brewery.