Synchrotron radiation light sources

Today, synchrotron radiation from an electron or positron storage ring is widely regarded as a unique scientific tool for basic and applied research in physics, chemistry, biology and their sub-fields. To satisfy the increasing demand for photons, a new generation of dedicated storage rings using state-of-the-art accelerator techniques is in project or under construction. This paper reviews the major features of these machines with reference to future national and international synchrotron sources and in particular the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility