Brilliance of X-rays

Synchrotron light is carried from its source in the storage ring to the experimental areas through high vacuum beam lines. Most of the X-ray beamlines contain focusing optics to concentrate the synchrotron light at the sample - mirrors are used to do this, as X-rays will pass straight through conventional lenses. Often the optics are cooled internally, enabling them to cope with the enormous heat loading of the bright light source without distorting.

Setting up an experiment in non-crystalline diffraction on one of the SRS beamlines.

Instrumentation on the beamlines allows the X-ray beam to be steered and focussed while maintaining a high vacuum.

Some of the experiments use so-called 'white' beam - a broad spectrum of wavelengths - whereas others require single wavelength or 'monochromatic' beam which is isolated by a device known as a monochromator. The beam lines are kept under high vacuum so that the highly polished surfaces of the mirrors inside are not contaminated.