Synchrotron

A synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator used to generate high intensity short wavelength (generally x-ray) radiation.

A synchrotron consists of a linear accelerator which accelerates and channels electrons into a circular accelerator called a booster ring. In the booster ring the electrons are accelerated up to near relativistic velocities. They are they transferred to a storage ring where they are kept at a constant speed. As the electron goes around the storage its velocity changes and so it emits Bremsstrahlung (braking) radiation at a tangent to the loop. This radiation is much more intense than that generated by other methods at the same wavelength and has a large number of scientific applications.

External links[edit]

• How does a Synchrotron work?