The Synchrotron light reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Synchrotron light

''This article is mostly concerned with applications of synchrotron radiation produced by cyclic paticle accelerators. For details of the particle accelerator so named see synchrotron.

A synchrotron is a toroidial particle accelerator that boosts the velocity of electrons, protons or ionized atoms (ions) to near the speed of light.

Table of contents

1 Operation 2 Uses 3 List of Synchrotrons

Operation

When a charged particle moves along a curved path or is accelerated while following a straight path, it radiates electromagnetic energy. In a synchrotron this energy may used for a number of experimental purposes.

A synchrotron produces a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, and they are quite often constructed so that the predominant emission consists of x-rays.

Uses

Synchrotron light is an ideal tool for many types of research and also has industrial applications. Some practical uses include:

• Lithography for computer chips.
• Absorption / Scattering.
• High pressure
• Protein crystallography.
• Spectroscopy.

Some of the advantages of synchrotron light that allow for these practical uses are:

• Short wavelength photons which can penetrate matter and interact with atoms.
• High concentration, tunability and polarization thus ensuring focusing accuracy for even the smallest of targets.

List of Synchrotrons

Synchrotrons of the World

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