Characteristics of synchrotron radiation

Synchrotron radiation is having a very significant impact on the many disciplines that make use of the radiation in the x-ray, vacuum ultraviolet, and infra-red regions of the spectrum. The rapidly increasing demand for beam time at existing facilities, the construction and commissioning of new facilities, and the world wide planning for future sources is clear testimony to the unique, interdisciplinary nature of the research applications. The nature of synchrotron radiation research continues to change and expand. This conference on the application of synchrotron radiation (SR) to polymer research illustrates that point. In this introductory paper it is impossible to cover in depth any of the applications. The intent, instead, is to give a brief, condensed summary of the properties of SR which have brought it to the fore as a research tool. No single source can provide the proper radiation for all applications. This paper should provide enough information and references to allow anyone contemplating a particular experiment to understand the widely varying parameters from different facilities, and thereby make some initial decisions concerning feasibility, and proper source. The NSLS will, in general, be used for illustration purposes since the conference is being held at Brookhaven where the attendees can get first hand familiarity with the facility