Antecedents, characteristics and use of the Brazilian LNLS synchrotron light sources

The first ideas about the possibility of the construction of a synchrotron light source in Brazil arose in 1981. For five years the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) supported the work of a small group of scientists who promoted a number of meetings to discuss this matter. In 1986 the CNPq took the decision of founding the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). The design and construction of the synchrotron source started in 1987. The LNLS light sources is composed of a 1.37 GeV electron storage ring and a 120 MeV Linac for low energy injection. It has been commissioned and, in July 1997, reached the design electron beam energy, current and emittance. Seven beamlines (TGM, SGM, SXS, XAFS, XRD, SAXS, PCr) have been constructed in parallel with the electron accelerators and are at present in operation. The LNLS synchrotron source was opened to users 1st July, 1997. To date (September 1997) beam time has been allocated to 130 approved research projects for the second semester of 1997. Thirty five projects have been performed during the first two months of operation. (author)