Desktop Synchrotron to Capture Molecular Action

Syncrhronymous Coward writes "Researchers led by Dino Jaroszynski of Strathclyde University have developed a desktop synchrotron particle accelerator that could soon freeze-frame the motion of atoms and molecules. Using a laser, some gas, and a row of magnets, his team put together a source of 'synchrotron light', which they say can be easily upgraded to produce intense, ultra-short pulses of X-rays — ideal for probing the intricate structure of many kinds of matter. Instead of a conventional ring of magnets and microwave cavities, they use an experimental technology called plasma wakefield acceleration."

Not entirely new, but interesting.

[gardyloo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakefield_Accelerator [wikipedia.org]

Re:Hmm..

[snl2587]

The technology really is more for examining molecular structure (which will be very useful for protein folding research. Now they can track the reactions at each stage)....but then again, it depends on what you mean by "picture". Will the individual atoms be identifiable? Yes. Will they be in the same kind of pictures you take with your camera? Probably not.

Re:Not entirely new, but interesting.

[explosivejared]

Here [strath.ac.uk] is a brief outline of wakefield acceleration by Prof. Jaroszynski himself.

Solar wind plasma physics in a kitchen sink

[OriginalArlen]

On a slightly related note, here's the physics of supersonic solar plasma flows, the termination shock, the heliopause and Voyager, all demonstrated in your kitchen sink. Superb stuff courtesy of The Planetary Society [planetary.org]. "Really baked my noodle" - Satisfied customer.

Re:Not entirely new, but interesting.

[Cyclotron_Boy]

The poster should have checked his facts. The desktop synchrotron light source is NOT a synchrotron. A synchrotron is an alternating lattice strong focusing particle accelerator with 1 or more accelerating cavities. A wiggler using permanent magnets and a wakefield accelerator to generate the beam of electrons is a great desktop machine, but far from a synchrotron. The wiggler produces synchrotron light - but that's about the extent of it. Synchrotron light comes about from the interaction of charged particles and magnetic fields. Don't call it a desktop synchrotron. It's a desktop synchrotron light source.

Here's some reminders for those of us who haven't studied accelerator physics in a while:
Synchrotron [wikipedia.org] via wikipedia
Synchrotron light [wikipedia.org] also via wiki
Wigglers [wikipedia.org] produce synchrotron light without the synchrotron

Re:Not entirely new, but interesting.

[Elky Elk]

Most synchrotron radiation sources aren't 'synchrotrons' they are electron storage rings, but its widely accepted in the user community that they're known as synchrotrons.