What is the Australian Synchrotron?
The Australian Synchrotron is a large scientific facility in Clayton, Melbourne, that accelerates electrons to nearly the speed of light to produce extremely bright light, used for research in medicine, materials and many other fields.
The synchrotron opened in 2007 and is now operated by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, known as ANSTO. It is located next to Monash University's Clayton campus.
Electrons travel around a storage ring about the size of a football field. As magnets bend their path, the electrons give off intense beams of light, from infrared to X-rays.
Beamlines and research
The light is directed into experimental stations called beamlines, where scientists use it to study the structure of materials at atomic scale. Researchers can examine proteins, minerals, metals, food and even works of art.
Australian Synchrotron research has helped develop new drugs, including studies of influenza and cancer treatments. It has also been used to study ancient fossils and paintings.
Scientists from universities, government agencies and industry use the facility, and new beamlines have been added over time. The synchrotron is one of Australia's most important research infrastructure projects.
Did You Know?
A synchrotron's light can be millions of times brighter than the Sun.