High-resolution resonant inelastic X-ray scattering with soft X-rays at the ADRESS beamline of the Swiss light source: Instrumental developments and scientific highlights

► We have optimized the grating optics for VLS type RIXS spectrometers. ► Cu L3 RIXS can efficiently probe magnetic fluctuations in quasi-one dimensional cuprates. ► RIXS is sensitive to spin-orbital separation in one-dimensional cuprates. ► RIXS is capable to give information on interface states in oxide heterostructures. ► Mapping of electron-hole pair excitations with RIXS probes the unoccupied band structure.