Synchrotrons and free electron lasers are unique facilities to probe the atomic structure and electronic properties of matter at extreme thermodynamical conditions. In this context, ‘matter at extreme pressures and temperatures’ was one of the science drivers for the construction of low emittance 4th generation synchrotron sources such as the Extremely Brilliant Source of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and hard x-ray free electron lasers, such as the European x-ray free electron laser. These new user facilities combine static high pressure and dynamic shock compression experiments to outstanding high brilliance and submicron beams. This combination not only increases the data-quality but also enlarges tremendously the accessible pressure, temperature and density space. At the same time, the large spectrum of available complementary x-ray diagnostics for static and shock compression studies opens unprecedented insights into the state of matter at extremes. The article aims at highlighting a new horizon of scientific opportunities based on the synergy between extremely brilliant synchrotrons and hard x-ray free electron lasers.

同步加速器和自由电子激光器是在极端热力学条件下探测物质原子结构和电子特性的独特工具。在这种情况下，“极端压力和温度下的物质”是构建低发射第四代同步加速器源（例如欧洲同步加速器辐射设施的极亮源和硬 X 射线自由电子激光器）的科学驱动因素之一，例如作为欧洲X射线自由电子激光器。这些新的用户设施将静态高压和动态冲击压缩实验结合到出色的高亮度和亚微米光束。这种组合不仅提高了数据质量，而且极大地扩大了可访问的压力、温度和密度空间。同时，用于静态和冲击压缩研究的大量可用补充 X 射线诊断开启了对极端物质状态的前所未有的洞察。这篇文章旨在强调基于极其出色的同步加速器和硬 X 射线自由电子激光器之间的协同作用的科学机遇的新视野。