[en] The physical principles of synchrotron radiation are outlined. Its main assets include a high spectral brilliance (number of photons emitted per second into a unit solid angle from a unit surface area of the source), a continuous spectrum over a wide wavelength region, polarized radiation, a high degree of angular collimation, and pulse nature. The principal properties of third generation sources of synchrotron radiation are given. Two sources of this type are under construction in Europe, viz., the 1.5 to 2 GeV Elettra storage ring near Trieste and the 6 GeV storage ring (the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility - ESRF) in Grenoble. Various fields of application of synchrotron radiation are shown, including the investigation of the structure of materials by X- ray diffraction methods, monochromatic diffraction, time resolution experiments, examination of the magnetic properties of materials using magnetic scattering, and the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure and X-ray fluorescence analyses. (Z.S.). 2 figs., 6 refs

[en] The first proposal for constructing a synchrotron radiation source at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe dates back to 1986. Nevertheless, it took an additional 14 years until the state-of-the-art ANKA facility could commence with operation in year 2000. ANKA will provide radiation for two main areas, fabrication of micro-components and for analytical applications. The goals of the ANKA concept are in applying synchrotron radiation to issues relevant for industrial companies, in involving programs and units of Forschungszentrum, and in operating a facility for the research community. (orig.)

[en] SOLEIL is the name of a new synchrotron radiation source that will be built near the LURE site in the south region of Paris. This source will produce a broad range of radiation from X-rays to infrared. Today applied research in pharmacy, micro-electronics and materials represents 20 to 25 % of the users of the ESRF (European synchrotron radiation facility) in Grenoble. In less than 5% of the experiments, industrialists work in a confidential manner, in most cases they accept to publish their works which allows them to benefit a low-cost access to the radiation source. ESRF makes possible the observation of very quick processes with an accuracy of about 1 nanosecond and the detection of very low mass of impurities (10^-15 g). (A.C.)

[en] 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

[en] After decision of inviting SPring-8 in Nishi Harima, the SUBARU project of the Himeji Institute of Technology was developed to new SUBARU project of which injector depend upon LINAC of SPring-8. The following development programs were planning, the basic studies of generation of high brilliance radiation sources and minuaturization and low price-setting of light source, investigation of generation of strong ultraviolet light using supercavity, the project work of cooling the electrons beam and realizing very short punch, generation of high quality electron beam with low emittance, micro-size and micro energy width, establishment of exposure light lithographic techniques and the light refined work techniques, development of new materials using an evaluation technique and inventive technique, for example, X ray selective reaction, bioinstrumentation by use of X-ray microscope with the level of 10 nm resolution. (S.Y.)

No abstract available

[en] Short communication

[en] New synchrotron radiation sources are coming on-line all over the world. But the only facilities that produce ultraviolet wavelengths are being closed down. Synchrotron radiation is now used routinely in many areas of science. Many research groups, especially in physics, chemistry and biology, base large parts of their research programmes on the use of this type of radiation. There are also increasing numbers of scientists who find that a few days' work at a synchrotron radiation source can provide crucial information to complement their main laboratory-based research. Some of the best examples of this are in protein structure and materials characterization, in which X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine-structure techniques are commonly used. This widespread applicability of synchrotron radiation is reflected in the growing number of new sources that have recently been built or are being planned or constructed in many cases in countries where no such facilities previously existed, such as Brazil, Taiwan, Korea, India and Switzerland. Other countries, including Japan, the US, Italy, Germany and Sweden, have facilities that have just opened or are about to open, while the UK is currently debating whether to build a new source called DIAMOND. (UK)

[en] A new crystal monochromator is designed and tested. The crystal monochromator allows for the use of a large curvature of the sagittal bending and makes it possible to focus synchrotron radiation at a short wavelength and a limited distance from the synchrotron radiation source to the sample

No abstract available