Example shown is Si 111 (top) and Si 100 (bottom)

Synchrotrons produce a unique type of radiation—continuous across the spectrum and tunable to the desired wavelength—emitted by electrons accelerated in a magnetic field. For two decades, the Office of Science has been the major supporter of U.S. synchrotron light sources. It currently operates four, each with unique capabilities, used by a total of more than 6,000 researchers annually from academia, government, and industry. The four are the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Scientists at these sites helped pioneer many synchrotron innovations that are widely used today, including a lattice of magnets that increased brightness (photon density) by two orders of magnitude; "insertion" devices (linear arrays of magnets called wigglers and undulators) that oscillate the path of the electron beam to generate X-ray and ultraviolet light that is high in flux (number of photons) and collimation (parallel alignment of photons); and powerful experimental techniques such as X-ray scattering and X-ray microscopy.

Scientific Impact: These innovations made new science possible and paved the way for significant extensions of light source performance that have had a broad and deep impact on the understanding of matter. Synchrotrons are used for cutting-edge research in materials science, physical and chemical science, geosciences, environmental science, bioscience, and medical and pharmaceutical science.

Social Impact: Synchrotron research affects society in areas such as information and energy technologies. For example, recent high-resolution imaging of thin films of copper may assist in the development of ultrahigh-density computer hard drives, and imaging of contaminants in solar cells and their removal by heat treatment may lead to more efficient and less costly solar energy.

Reference: Scientific Research Facilities: A National Resource, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/bes/Brochures.htm

P. A. Montano and H. Oyanagi, "In Situ Synchrotron Radiation research in Materials Science," MRS Bulletin, (24) 13-20 (January 1999).

W.Yun et al., "S-ray Imaging and Microspectroscopy of Plants and Fungi," J. Synchrotron Rad., (5) 1390-1395 (1998).

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Technical Contact: Don Freeburn, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, 301-903-3156

Press Contact: Jeff Sherwood, DOE Office of Public Affairs, 202-586-5806

SC-Funding Office: Office of Basic Energy Sciences