Desktop Synchrotron to Capture Molecular Action

Syncrhronymous Coward writes "Researchers led by Dino Jaroszynski of Strathclyde University have developed a desktop synchrotron particle accelerator that could soon freeze-frame the motion of atoms and molecules. Using a laser, some gas, and a row of magnets, his team put together a source of 'synchrotron light', which they say can be easily upgraded to produce intense, ultra-short pulses of X-rays — ideal for probing the intricate structure of many kinds of matter. Instead of a conventional ring of magnets and microwave cavities, they use an experimental technology called plasma wakefield acceleration."

Comments

Not entirely new, but interesting.

[gardyloo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakefield_Accelerator

Re:Not entirely new, but interesting.

[explosivejared]

Here is a brief outline of wakefield acceleration by Prof. Jaroszynski himself.

Re:Not entirely new, but interesting.

[Cyclotron_Boy]

The poster should have checked his facts. The desktop synchrotron light source is NOT a synchrotron. A synchrotron is an alternating lattice strong focusing particle accelerator with 1 or more accelerating cavities. A wiggler using permanent magnets and a wakefield accelerator to generate the beam of electrons is a great desktop machine, but far from a synchrotron. The wiggler produces synchrotron light - but that's about the extent of it. Synchrotron light comes about from the interaction of charged particles and magnetic fields. Don't call it a desktop synchrotron. It's a desktop synchrotron light source.

Here's some reminders for those of us who haven't studied accelerator physics in a while:
Synchrotron via wikipedia
Synchrotron light also via wiki
Wigglers produce synchrotron light without the synchrotron