Synchrotron

This video briefly explains how the Australian Synchrotron works. It is presented in a simple animation with commentary that explains everything that you need to know to understand the basics behind the Synchrotron.

Early Synchrotrons

History

The synchrotron brought technological breakthroughs when it first operated in Woolwich, United Kingdom in 1946. But it wasn’t until 1947 when the first observation of synchrotron light was documented. The credit for the proton synchrotron went to the Australian, Sir Marcus Oliphant. However, the original idea for the proton synchrotron was a thing of the past as the synchrotron has vastly developed since then. The American and Nobel Prize laureate, Edwin McMillan, constructed the first operational electron synchrotron and paved the way for modern synchrotron technology.

Today

Diamond-The UK's national Synchrotron

The current version of the vastly improved synchrotron still has the same basic idea, but is now a cyclic sub-atomic particle accelerator. The magnetic field turns the particles (obviously protons or neutrons) so they circulate and the electric field accelerates the particles. One the uses of the synchrotrons are to anaylyse crystallized proteins, which are so small they make up parts of cells, in amazing detail and in minutes. From this, they can analyse how to stop disease cells being able to work by preventing a vital part of their function. There are dozens of slightly differing synchrotrons built all across the globe. These innovative machines can be seen in the US, Australia, UK, Brazil, Sweden and more. One of the highest energy synchrotrons in the world can be observed in the US – The Fermi National Accelerator Library (Fermilab). The synchrotron can be used for various things like proton therapy to treat cancer and there is even a synchrotron at Monash University, Clayton.

Future

ALBA-Spain's First Synchrotron

Even after success after success in the development of the synchrotron, the future of the Australian Synchrotron at least is looking a little gloomy. The “short sighted” Bailleau government has stopped government funding of the project, but it hasn’t stopped the development and operation of the Synchrotron, just creating a relatively small obstacle. The synchrotron will only be able to improve. There are also ideas of having the synchrotrons available to personal diagnosis. The synchrotron gained interest from other people working in scientific technology and has already taken people away from working on other projects to help develop the synchrotron. It is an exciting prospect and the future for the synchrotron is bright.

Pros & cons of the Synchrotron

·         PRO – Synchrotrons allow us to see specific cells in relatively great detail.

·         CON – It is very large (as big as a football field) and slightly inconvenient.

·         PRO – The Synchrotron is rapidly developing and doesn’t look like it will ever stop.

·         CON – The Synchrotron is fairly complicated and not many people understand how it works (like the Vic. Government that stopped funding) and it may not gain as much support as X-Ray or CT.

·         PRO – The Synchrotron allows Australia to return back to the world stage in science with Australia’s own Synchrotron being based in Monash University, Clayton.

·         CON – It will be many years before it will be available for personal diagnosis.

·         PRO – The Synchrotron will bring new breakthroughs with it and possible cures for diseases.

The Australian Synchrotron near Monash University

We would like to thank Peter Kappen from La Trobe University for giving up his time and allowing us to interview him about the Synchrotron.

Useful Links

http://www.synchrotron.org.au/
http://www.synchrotron.org.au/index.php/synchrotron-science

http://www.fnal.gov/

http://www.esrf.eu/UsersAndScience/Publications/Highlights/2004/SCM/SCM8