The advantages of synchrotron x-ray for high-pressure science have been well recognized, as witnessed by the enormous advances in high-pressure science across many disciplines at synchrotron sources in last two decades. As one of the original and longest-running high-pressure beamlines in the world, the X17 facility at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), Brookhaven National Laboratory, has played and continues to play a key role in the development and application of high-pressure synchrotron techniques in geosciences, condensed matter physics, and materials science. These dedicated high pressure beamlines at NSLS are among the most productive high-pressure research facilities in the world in this period.

At this workshop, an overview of the achievements at these facilities, especially for the diamond anvil cell (DAC) beamlines of the legendary X17C and novel X17B3, will be given by beamline staff and users. The workshop theme also covers the recent progress of the related theoretical calculations and methodologies, instrumentations and facilities, data collection and analysis strategies for high-pressure research using synchrotron x-ray beamlines. In addition, the program aims to highlight the new achievements, techniques, development, and new synchrotron sources which will benefit the current, on-going program of design, development, upgrade and operation of DAC high-pressure beamlines for NSLS-II, as well as many upcoming high-pressure beamlines at other new synchrotron sources. The workshop will also provide students, postdocs, and new potential users with an excellent introduction to high-pressure synchrotron techniques and science.

This workshop is organized in honor of Jingzhu Hu and Quanzhong Guo in celebration of their retirement after up to 18 years of dedicated and selfless service to the high-pressure community. This is an appropriate time to take stock of the achievements of the high-pressure community at NSLS and look forward to the future of the facility and the new opportunities that will be made available with the advent of the NSLS-II. It is anticipated that this workshop will stimulate collaborative efforts, not only in studying high pressure science but also taking advantage of the unique features of today and tomorrow’s synchrotron x-rays, bringing our understanding of the high-pressure research to a new level in the near future.