SPring-8, the large synchrotron radiation facility

Synchrotron radiation (SR) is emitted from an electron traveling at almost the speed of light when its path is bent by a magnetic field. As it was first observed in a synchrotron in 1947, it was named "synchrotron radiation".

Ultra-bright

Highly directional

Spectrally continuous (BM/W) or quasi-monochromatic (U)

Linearly or circularly polarized

Pulsed with controlled intervals

Temporally and spatially stable

BM: Bending Magnet
W: Wiggler
U: Undulator

Synchrotron radiation is emitted at a bending magnet or at an insertion device. The insertion device is comprised of rows of magnets with alternating polarity and is installed in a straight section of the electron orbit. Corresponding to the weak and strong magnetic field, there are two types of insertion devices: an undulator and a wiggler.

	Bending Magnet		Stored electrons run on a circular orbit and emit synchrotron radiation with a continuous spectrum when they encounter the bending magnet.
	Undulator		The electron beam wiggles with a small deviation angle. As a result, ultra-bright and quasi-monochromatic light is obtained by the interference effect.
	Wiggler		The electron beam wiggles with a large deviation angle. As a result, bright and spectrally continuous light with short wavelengths is obtained.

Synchrotron radiation produced at a bending magnet

Synchrotron radiation produced at an undulator

SPring-8 produces light that is about one billion times more brilliant than conventional X-ray sources.

PDF spectra