What is SPring-8?
SPring-8, located at The Harima Science Garden City in Hyogo produces the world’s highest performance synchrotron radiation at its large synchrotron radiation facility. SPring-8 uses synchrotron radiation for nanotechnology, biotechnology, and even industrial use through its wide range of research. The name SPring-8 derives from the “Super Photon Ring-8 GeV” (8 billion electron volts). SPring-8 is a joint-operated facility open to researchers from industry, science and government within Japan as well as overseas. Since 1997, synchrotron radiation has been provided to universities, public research institutes and companies. Any user whose application is accepted may use the facility. SPring-8 is operated by RIKEN, with it’s user selection and user support (user promotion) managed by The Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute.
Tailored to your research objectives
The right experimental equipment in the right place
Synchrotron Radiation at SPring-8
Synchrotron radiation is emitted when electrons are bent by a magnetic field (magnet).
is light emitted in the direction of travel.
The Synchrotron radiation produced by SPring-8
The electrons’ energy is high, producing bright light,
It includes X-rays with shorter wavelengths and stronger penetrating power.
Because it is tightly focused and has high brightness,
Regions smaller than the micro scale
It can illuminate more brightly.
How Synchrotron radiation is produced at SPring-8
SPring-8 consists of an electron gun that generates electrons, an accelerator that accelerates the electrons, and a Storage Ring that stores the electron beam. In a series of operations, electrons fired from SACLA’s electron gun (1) are accelerated by the accelerator (2) to 8 GeV (8 billion electron volts), injected into the Storage Ring (3) with a circumference of about 1,500 m, and circulated to generate Synchrotron Radiation using bending magnets and insertion devices (4). The generated Synchrotron Radiation (X-rays) is guided through beamlines to Experimental Hutches (5) installed inside and outside the Storage Ring and used for a variety of experiments.
About About
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An electron beam is extracted from a tungsten electrode using an electron gun. The principle is the same as in CRT TVs and X-ray equipment, but a high voltage of approximately 180 kV is used.
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After accelerating the electron beam to 1 GeV in the 140 m long Linear Accelerator, it is accelerated to 8 GeV in the 396 m circumference racetrack-type Synchrotron and sent to the Storage Ring.
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The electron beam circulates in the Storage Ring with a circumference of 1,436 m while maintaining an energy of 8 GeV. During this time, synchrotron radiation is emitted by bending magnets and insertion devices (undulators).
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At the beamline, X-rays of wavelengths suitable for the experimental purpose are extracted from the synchrotron radiation using spectrometers and focusing mirrors, and then irradiated onto the sample in the experimental hatch.
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Detectors read X-rays emitted after irradiating a sample, changes in the sample itself, and light or electrons secondarily emitted from the sample, and the data is then analyzed.
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By understanding the structure, properties, and temporal changes of matter in detail, various phenomena from life to the universe are elucidated, leading to the discovery of "theories" and "principles" that govern them.
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Individual "discoveries" found in various phenomena are integrated and eventually turn into "innovations" that change our lives and civilization. This is essential for the sustainable development of humanity and the Earth, and is what SPring-8/SACLA should always pursue.
What is a beamline?
A beamline is a kind of waveguide placed outside the Storage Ring that guides Synchrotron Radiation to experimental equipment (stations) and, along the way, uses a spectrometer to monochromatize the broad spectrum of Synchrotron Radiation to a specific wavelength (energy) and shape the beam divergence. Interlocks, shutters, high-speed gate valves, and other components are also installed along the beamline to safely perform work at the stations by blocking Synchrotron Radiation as needed.
Future of SPring-8
SPring-8 opened for public use in 1997 and SACLA in 2012. The lifespan of SPring-8 as a cutting-edge facility is considered to be approximately 20 years after construction, and a major upgrade to SPring-8-II in the 2020s is unavoidable to remain a world-class facility. SACLA will also eventually require a major upgrade. SPring-8-III, anticipated 20 years after the SPring-8-II upgrade, may realize a ring-type X-ray Free Electron Laser Facility.
