physics

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource is a physics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource rather than just read about it. In short: The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (formerly Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory), a division of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, is operated by Stanford University for the Department of Energy. SSRL is a National User Facility which provides synchrotron radiation, a name given to electromagnetic radiation in the x-ray, ultraviolet, visible and infrared realms produced by electrons circulating…

Key takeaways

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource belongs to physics; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (formerly Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory), a division of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, is operated by Stanford University for the Department of Energy. SSRL is a National User Facility which provides synchrotron radiation, a name given to electromagnetic radiation in the x-ray, ultraviolet, visible and infrared realms produced by electrons circulating in a storage ring (Stanford Positron Electron Asymmetric Ring - SPEAR) at nearly the speed of light. The extremely bright light that is produced can be used to investigate various forms of matter ranging from objects of atomic and molecular size to man-made materials with unusual properties. The obtained information and knowledge is of great value to society, with impact in areas such as the environment, future technologies, health, biology, basic research, and education.[1] SSRL provides experimental facilities to some 2,000 academic and industrial scientists working in such varied fields as drug design, environmental cleanup, electronics, and x-ray imaging.[2] It is located in San Mateo County, in the city of Menlo Park, California, close to the Stanford University main campus.

History In 1972, the first x-ray beamline was constructed by Ingolf Lindau and Piero Pianetta as literally a "hole in the wall" extending off of the SPEAR storage ring. SPEAR had been built in an era of particle colliders, where physicists were more interested in smashing particles together in hope of discovering antimatter than in using x-ray radiation for solid state physics and chemistry. From those meager beginnings the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Project (SSRP) began. Within a short time SSRP had five experimental hutches that each used the radiation originating from only one of the large SPEAR dipole (bending) magnets. Each one of those stations was equipped with a monochromator to select the radiation of interest, and experimenters would bring their samples and end stations from all over the world to study the unique effects only achieved through synchrotron radiation. The SLAC 2-mile linear accelerator was the original source for 3GeV electrons, but by 1991 SPEAR had its own 3-section linac and energy-ramping booster ring. Today, the SPEAR storage ring is dedicated completely to the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource as part of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory facility. SSRL currently operates 24/7 for about nine months each year; the remaining time is used for major maintenance and upgrades where direct access to the storage ring is needed. There are currently 17 beamlines and over 30 unique experimental stations which are made available to users from universities, government labs, and industry from all over the world.

Directors Sebastian Doniach 1973-1977 Arthur Bienenstock 1978-1998 Keith Hodgson 1998-2005 Joachim Stöhr 2005-2009 Piero Pianetta 2009 Chi-Chang Kao 2010-2012 Piero Pianetta 2012-2014 Kelly Gaffney 2014-2019 Paul McIntyre 2019-present

Facilities listed by Beamline and Station

BL 7-3, 9-3, 4-3 These three beamlines are dedicated to biological x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Beamline 7-3 is an unfocused beamline and thus is best suited for XAS on dilute protein samples. Beamline 9-3 has an additional upstream focusing mirror, over 7-3, making it the preferred choice for photo reducing samples or ones where multiple different spots are needed. Beamline 4-3 was newly reopened as of 4/6/2009 bringing special capabilities for soft-energy (2.4-6 keV) studies in addition to hard x-rays. Beamline 4-3 now replaces 6-2 as the preferred location for Sulfur K-edge experiments at SSRL. BL 6-2 With three upstream mirrors, two for focusing and a third for harmonic rejection, this beamline has become dedicated to transmission x-ray microscopy in the 4-12 keV range, soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy including Rapid-scanning xRF imaging, and advanced spectroscopy such as XES (resonant and non-resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy), XRS (non-resonant x-ray Raman scattering and RIXS (resonant inelastic X-ray scattering). BL 8-2, 10-1, 13-2 These three beamlines are specialized for soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy, including NEXAFS (Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure), some light atom Ligand K-edge (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, chlorine), PES (Photoemission spectroscopy), and L-edge measurements. All experiments on these beamlines require special handling and advanced ultra high vacuum experience and techniques. BL 11-3 Materials Science Scattering, Reflectivity and Single Crystal Diffraction Experiments. Uses to date include: study of structure in organic, metal, and semiconductor thin films and multilayers; study of charge-density waves in rare earth tri-tellurides; study of in-situ growth of biogenic minerals; partial determination of texture in recrystallized pumice; quick determination of single crystal orientation.[3] BL 1-5, 7-1, 9-1, 9-2, 11-1, 11-3, 12-2 These beamlines are used for macromolecular x-ray crystallography. All of the beamlines are for general use, except for beamline 12-2, which was funded in part by Caltech via a gift from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. As a result, 40% of beamtime on 12-2 is reserved for Caltech researchers. BL 4-2 Biological small-angle X-ray scattering beamline.

External links SSRL Headline News A Monthly Digital Publication Lightsources.org Archives and History Office - Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Project (SSRP)

References ^SSRL Home page ^Woods, Heather Rock (September 27, 2005). "Stöhr to Direct Synchrotron Radiation Lab". Press Release. Menlo Park, CA: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Retrieved September 28, 2005. ^:Dunn, Lisa (August 2005). "Update on SSRL Beam Lines and Techniques". SSRL Headline News. 6 (2): n.p.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In physics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource

In research: Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource appears in physics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Buildings and structures in San Mateo County, California, Laboratories in California, Particle physics facilities, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
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Frequently asked questions

What is Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource in simple terms?

Why does Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource matter?

Because it connects several physics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource.