How are synchrotrons used?
Originally, synchrotrons were only used for physics, to allow scientists to study collisions between particles. However, when high-energy electrons are forced to travel in a circular orbit, they release synchrotron radiation.
Here are a few examples:
· biosciences (macromolecular/protein crystallography and cell biology). The electromagnetic radiation from the synchrotron enables scientists to study matter at a molecular level (study an object as small as a single molecule), study crystals using x-rays and study the functions and properties of cells.
· medical research (microbiology, disease mechanisms, high resolution imaging and cancer radiation therapy). The light emitted from the synchrotron allows scientists to find a cure for cancer because the intense light is able to destroy cancer cells. Additionally, medical imaging can occur using a synchrotron. X-ray images have more detail than ordinary x-rays. · environmental sciences (toxicology, atmospheric research, clean combustion and cleaner industrial production technologies). The light from the synchrotron gives scientists the ability to determine the effects of chemicals on living organisms, the condition of the earth's atmosphere, clean combustion (burning) and more efficient production of engineering and manufacturing technologies. · minerals exploration (analysis of drill core samples, characterisation of ores). The synchrotron light allows miners to analyse their mineral findings and be able to identify and classify ores. · engineering (imaging of industrial processes in real time, high resolution imaging of cracks and defects in structures, the operation of catalysts in large chemical engineering processes). The intense light from the synchrotron enables a high definition imaging of industrial processes like cracks and defects on their research subjects. The light also allows the study of catalytic operations in chemical engineering processes. · forensics (identification of suspects from extremely small and dilute samples). Using synchrotron radiation, scientists can evaluate mineral compositions for use in forensics. Synchrotron techniques can also be used on soils and sediments for scientists to research and gather more information from. |
A synchrotron was used to help solve the case of Beethoven's death. Using a synchrotron, it was discovered that Beethoven's hair contained about 100 times more of heavy metal lead than what is normal today.
Due to the usefulness of synchrotron light, many accelerators today exist for the sole purpose of generating light for scientific experiments. Facilities dedicated to the production and use of synchrotron radiation are known as synchrotron radiation facilities. The brightness of synchrotron X-rays means that for example, determining the three-dimensional structure of an AIDS virus protein could take a matter of minutes instead of hours or days of data collection and manipulation.