At SESAME, collaboration between researchers in Jordan and Brazil is opening up new ways to study how materials emit light under X-rays. By bringing together expertise in synchrotron science, optical spectroscopy and engineering, the team has developed an experimental system that helps researchers connect a material’s atomic structure with its optical properties. To mark World Science Day for Peace and Development, we explore the work behind this achievement, the opportunities it creates and what working across borders means to the scientists involved.
What scientific challenge brought the international team together? What were you hoping to achieve, and why was collaboration important to the project?
Dr Khan: The main scientific challenge was to develop an advanced X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) capability at the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline SESAME, integrating the complementary techniques of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), LASER excited photoluminescence (PL) and XEOL into a single experimental probe. Many advanced materials, such as rare earth compounds, semiconductor quantum-confined nanomaterials, advanced phosphors and X-ray scintillators, exhibit complex relationships between their local atomic structure, chemical environment and optical properties.
Ultimately, our goal was to establish a new experimental capability that would expand the scientific opportunities available to the international user community at SESAME.
Understanding these relationships requires more than conventional optical or structural characterization alone, particularly when developing materials for advanced technological applications such as high-energy radiation detection system, X-ray computed tomography, solar cells, solid-state lighting and display technologies, including quantum-dot LEDs, etc. X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides information on the local atomic and electronic structure of materials, while XEOL reveals their optical emission response under X-ray and focused-LASER excitations.
By combining these techniques, we aimed to establish an experimental platform that would allow researchers to correlate the local chemical environment and electronic structure of photoemitting centers in advanced materials with their corresponding optical emission properties.
International collaboration was essential because developing such a system required complementary expertise in synchrotron science, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, mechanical and systems integration engineering, and experimental instrumentation. Bringing together researchers from SESAME, the SIRIUS synchrotron light source, LNLS-CNPEM, and other Brazilian research institutions with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) allowed us to exchange scientific knowledge, combine technical expertise and build on existing research capabilities. Ultimately, our goal was to establish a new experimental capability that would expand the scientific opportunities available to the international user community at SESAME.
What did the different international partners contribute? How did the expertise and resources of the teams at SESAME and the Brazilian institutions complement one another?
The collaboration brought together complementary expertise in synchrotron radiation science, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, optical and LASER spectroscopy, mechanical and systems integration engineering, and advanced materials characterization. At SESAME, our multidisciplinary team led the in-house development of the multipurpose sample environment and the integration of the XEOL capability into the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline.
This effort involved colleagues from several technical groups. I coordinated the scientific and technical development as Supervisor of the BM08-XAFS/XRF Team, working closely with Abdel Rahman Hasoneh and Muhammad Iqbal from the Mechanical Engineering Group, Hussein Al-Mohammad from the Diagnostics Group, and Abdalla Ahmad and Anas Mohammad from the Control and Data Acquisition Groups. Our collective responsibilities included the design and implementation of the experimental setup, the mechanical design and fabrication of a multipurpose sample environment with the potential for future adaptation to microscopy applications, integration of the optical detection system with the existing beamline instrumentation, development of data acquisition and control software, and establishment of experimental procedures for combining X-ray-induced luminescence with X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements.
The Brazilian partners contributed valuable scientific expertise in LASER spectroscopy, rare-earth luminescence and electronic spectroscopy, particularly through the research group led by Prof. Dr. Hermi F. Brito at the Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP). The collaboration also benefited from the expertise of researchers at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS/CNPEM), particularly Verônica C. Teixeira and Santiago J. A. Figueroa, who provided technical and scientific support in XEOL and XAS, drawing on experience with the CARNAÚBA microscopy and QUATI quick XAS beamlines at the SIRIUS synchrotron light source.
This exchange established an important technical and scientific connection between BM08, SESAME and the CARNAÚBA and QUATI beamlines, SIRIUS. My previous research experience at the Brazilian Centre for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), particularly at the Brazilian National Nanotechnology Laboratory (LNNano) and LNLS, also provided an important scientific and technical connection between the collaborating institutions.
During my research career in Brazil, I worked on synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence and electron microscopy imaging, as well as optical and hyperspectral characterization of luminescent and magnetic nanoparticles. This background helped bridge expertise in synchrotron radiation techniques, optical characterization and advanced materials research.
What made this partnership particularly valuable was the exchange of knowledge and experience between scientists, engineers and technical specialists. SESAME contributed the synchrotron radiation infrastructure, beamline instrumentation, XAS capabilities and engineering expertise, while the Brazilian partners brought complementary knowledge in LASER spectroscopy, luminescence and synchrotron-based techniques. In particular, the experience gained from the integrated XEOL, XRF and XAS imaging approach at the CARNAÚBA microscopy beamline provided valuable insight for developing a complementary XEOL/XRF 2D mapping capability at BM08. By combining these strengths, we were able to translate scientific requirements into a practical experimental system and establish a new research capability for the international scientific community at SESAME.
Beyond the immediate development of the XEOL facility, this partnership also laid an important technical foundation for the future evolution of the SESAME hard X-ray XAS beamline towards a multipurpose microfocus beamline, an upgrade that would respond to the growing demand from scientific users for advanced materials characterization.
What has the collaboration achieved, and why does it matter? What new opportunities does the experimental system create for researchers, particularly those using SESAME?
The collaboration resulted in the successful development and commissioning of an advanced X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) experimental setup at the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline, SESAME. The system covers a broad optical wavelength range of approximately 200–950 nm, extending from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared, with an optical spectral resolution of approximately 1.60 nm. One of its most important features is the customized multipurpose sample environment, which allows researchers to perform X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL), photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements without changing the sample alignment. The system incorporates an optical spectrometer and an optical microscope for real-time visualization of the luminescence distribution across the sample. Furthermore, it supports two-dimensional hyperspectral mapping and imaging under both X-ray and focused-LASER excitation.
These capabilities open new opportunities to investigate the relationships between local atomic structure, chemical environment, defects, energy-transfer processes and optical emission in advanced functional materials. Combining XEOL with XAS allows researchers to correlate the optical emission response with the local atomic and electronic structure of specific absorbing elements, providing deeper insight into the mechanisms governing luminescence in complex materials.
For SESAME, this achievement is particularly important because it expands the experimental capabilities available to researchers in the Middle East and neighboring regions. The XEOL system has been available to SESAME users since July 2023, providing access to an advanced characterization technique that complements the existing X-ray spectroscopy facilities. Importantly, its scientific impact is already reflected in peer-reviewed publications by SESAME users in internationally recognized journals. For example:
i) Gul, I. et al., "Ln³⁺-ion-mediated enhancement in UV/X-ray-induced optical emission from Mn²⁺-doped ZnSe nanocrystals", Nanoscale (Royal Society of Chemistry), 17, 15393–15401 (2025).
ii) AlZubi, R. et al., "Advanced Probing of Eu2+/Eu3+ Photoemitter Sites in BaAl2O4:Eu Scintillators by Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Excited Optical Luminescence Probe", Optical Materials (Elsevier), 162, 116937 (2025).
These studies demonstrate how XEOL capability enables researchers to investigate X-ray-induced optical emission mechanisms in semiconductor nanocrystals and scintillator materials, contributing to a better understanding of the relationship between the electronic structure of photoemitting centers and their optical properties. Beyond the XEOL development, the partnership has also facilitated further technology transfer and knowledge exchange between SESAME and the SIRIUS synchrotron light source in Brazil. One important example is the provision of in-house-developed ionization chambers from the QUATI quick-XAS beamline SIRIUS to BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline SESAME. Their integration into the BM08 data acquisition system has enabled high-quality XAFS measurements in continuous-scan mode, improving the efficiency of data collection and expanding our experimental capabilities. This is another tangible outcome of the SESAME–SIRIUS collaboration.
We are also extending this collaborative effort towards artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted scientific data analysis. Through the development of AIXASStudio, we aim to provide intelligent software tools for the interpretation and analysis of XAS and XEOL data, supporting researchers throughout the experimental data-analysis process. The objective is to make advanced data analysis more accessible, particularly for early-career researchers and users who may not have extensive experience with these specialized techniques.
Our related software development work particularly for XEOL is available through the RareEarthsLab GitHub repository. Beyond these immediate scientific and technological achievements, the collaboration is also contributing to the long-term development of SESAME's experimental infrastructure and scientific capabilities. It demonstrates how international partnerships can facilitate technology transfer, strengthen local engineering and scientific expertise, and create sustainable research opportunities for emerging scientific communities.
SESAME is widely recognised as an example of science diplomacy in action. What does international scientific cooperation mean to you personally, and has this experience changed your perspective on what can be achieved through working across borders?
Scientific talent, curiosity and innovation are not limited by national boundaries.
For me, international scientific cooperation means much more than sharing research facilities, instruments or scientific publications. It is about bringing people together from different cultures, regions and ethnic backgrounds through a common scientific purpose, exchanging knowledge, learning from different perspectives, and building scientific partnerships and relationships based on mutual respect and trust. My own scientific journey has taken me across different countries and research environments. I began my academic career in Pakistan, pursued my doctoral and postdoctoral research in Brazil, gained further research experience in the United Kingdom, and now work at SESAME in Jordan.
These experiences have taught me that scientific talent, curiosity and innovation are not limited by national boundaries. Every research environment offers different perspectives, expertise and opportunities for learning. I strongly believe that the principles of open science and science without borders should prevail, allowing knowledge to be shared freely and scientific progress to contribute to a more prosperous, inclusive and peaceful world.
Working at SESAME has strengthened this perspective even further. SESAME is a remarkable example of how science can create common ground between countries and communities. Researchers from different cultural, academic and national backgrounds come together to conduct experiments, exchange ideas and address shared scientific challenges. In this environment, scientific cooperation becomes a practical expression of dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful collaboration, transcending differences in caste, ethnicity and culture.
The development of the XEOL setup at the BM08 beamline SESAME is one example of what can be achieved when researchers and institutions work together across borders. It demonstrates how sharing expertise, experience and technical knowledge can transform a scientific idea into a research capability that benefits a much broader international community. This experience has reinforced my belief that science is a universal language that can connect people, overcome barriers and create opportunities beyond political, geographical and cultural differences. For me, this is the true meaning of science diplomacy: using scientific cooperation not only to advance knowledge but also to build bridges between people and contribute to a more peaceful world.
What message would you share with the next generation of scientists? In the context of World Science Day, what advice would you offer early-career researchers about the value of international collaboration?
Every partner has something valuable to contribute, regardless of the size or geographical location of their institution.
My message to young scientists is to remain curious, open-minded and willing to learn from others, irrespective of caste, race, ethnicity or cultural background. I would like to reiterate the words of Nobel laureate and theoretical physicist Professor Abdus Salam: “Scientific thought and its creation is the common and shared heritage of mankind.” Science is a continuous process of discovery, and some of its most important advances emerge when we bring together different ideas, expertise and perspectives. I strongly encourage early-career researchers to seek opportunities to work with international teams, visit research laboratories, participate in scientific conferences and establish collaborations beyond their own institutions and countries. These experiences not only strengthen scientific and technical skills but also develop communication, adaptability and an appreciation of different cultures and ways of thinking. It is equally important to recognize that successful international collaboration is built on mutual respect, trust, shared responsibilities and the exchange of knowledge. Every partner has something valuable to contribute, regardless of the size or geographical location of their institution.
Finally, I believe that science should serve humanity. Facilities such as SESAME demonstrate that scientific infrastructure can be much more than a place to conduct experiments: it can serve as a platform for education, cooperation, innovation and peaceful scientific dialogue. By bringing together researchers from different countries and backgrounds, such facilities can also contribute to addressing global challenges and advancing the technologies that will shape the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The next generation of scientists has an important role in carrying this spirit forward. As we celebrate World Science Day, I hope young researchers will see science not only as a career but also as an opportunity to build bridges between people, strengthen international understanding and contribute to a better and more peaceful world. After all, science is a shared language of mankind.
Research highlighted: Lighting up materials with X-rays: advanced X-ray excited optical luminescence probe at the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline, SESAME
Khan, L. et al. (2026). Lighting up materials with X-rays: advanced X-ray excited optical luminescence probe at the BM08-XAFS/XRF beamline, SESAME. IUCrJ, 13(6).
