A synchrotron is an extremely powerful source of X-rays. These are produced by highly energetic electrons moving in a large circle in the synchrotron.
Synchrotron light (also known as synchrotron radiation) is
electromagnetic radiation that is emitted when charged
particles moving at close to the speed of light are forced to
change direction by a magnetic field.
Today there are more than 50 synchrotron light sources around the world dedicated to
generating synchrotron light and exploiting its special qualities.
These machines support a huge range of applications, from
condensed matter physics to structural biology, environmental
science and cultural heritage.
