What is Synchrotron Light?


 

 

Have you ever wondered what synchrotron light is?

 

The dictionary definition of light is electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength. Different types of lights are defined, and categorized by their wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.
 

The light that our eyes can see is only the smallest fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum (from 4,000  to about 7,700 angstroms) . We can see this light because it's wavelengths are detectable by the cones of our eyes. We can not see the other lights because they have too short of a wavelength, or to long of a wavelength.

Synchrotron Light

Synchrotron Light is the electromagnetic radiation emitted when charged electrons, moving at velocities close to the speed of light, are forced to change direction by magnetic fields. This electromagnetic radiation is emitted in a narrow cone in the forward direction, at tangent to the particle’s orbit. Synchrotron light is unique in its intensity and brilliance (see the picture and the table below). 

 
the brightness of synchrotron light (Source: Canadian Light Source website)

 

Another uniqueness of synchrotron light is that it can be generated across the range of the electromagnetic spectrum including visible, infra-red, ultra-violet, 'soft' and 'hard' x-ray and microwaves (see the spectrum below). Synchrotron scientists are  trying to push synchrotron light farther into the X-ray and microwave regions and the brightness has improved over years as shown in the picture above.

The electromagnetic spectrum below shows wavelengths of radiation emitted by various sources and the names of the radiations based on their wavelength frequencies and sizes and lots more. You will learn a lot from this picture if you look carefully.
 
electromagnetic spectrum
                                                (Electromagnetic spectrum)

Synchrotron light is not just limited to Synchrotrons. As mentioned above,  the real name of Synchrotron light is electromagnetic radiation. Anything that emits any form of electromagnetic radiation from microwaves to x-rays is emitting a form of Synchrotron light. The only difference is that Synchrotrons makes the radiation up to a billion times more brilliant than the normal radiation emitted by other man-made objects.

The table below shows the brightness of synchrotron light compared to other lights. Brightness is measured by roughly calculating the number of photons  that strike a 1mm˛ sample during one second exposure.

Comparative brightness of lights from various sources

 Type of light

Photons per second per mm2

Synchrotron Light

10 000 000 000 000 000 000

Sunlight

10 000 000 000 000

Candle

1 000 000 000

Medical X-ray

10 000 000

 

Back to top