Highlights of synchrotron radiation

The applications of the electromagnetic radiation generated by relativistic electrons circulating in synchrotrons and storage rings have rapidly extended into many scientific disciplines. This article first briefly reviews the history of synchrotron radiation, and recapitulates its properties. The available sources are listed, and some aspects of the facilities that are required to make use of the radiation are discussed, with particular emphasis on the optical elements. Several noteworthy examples of scientific research conducted with synchrotron radiation are described. These are drawn principally from the X-ray region, and comprise X-ray fluorescence, small-angle scattering, powder profile refinement, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, topography, time-resolved spectroscopy, and VUV and photoelectron spectroscopy of solids. In conclusion, a few topics are mentioned relating to the future expansion and application of synchrotron radiation research facilities.     

Properties of synchrotron radiation

Muon capture on hydrogen gives a unique possibility for a measurement of the pseudo-scalar form factor g _p (q _c ² = -0.88 m _μ ² ) of the nucleonic weak current, thus providing a sensitive test of the QCD chiral symmetry perturbation theory which predicts the value of this form factor with a precision of Δg _p /g _p ≃ 2%. For adequate comparison with theory, the muon capture rate Λ_c should be measured with a precision of ΔΛ_c/Λ_c ≤ 1%, that is an order of magnitude better than the precision of the present world data. We report on the project of an experiment designed to provide the required precision. Also, we present the final result of our previous experiment on a high precision measurement of the μ³He capture rate and compare this result with the PCAC prediction. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Coherence of synchrotron radiation

Gal'tsov et al. [Vestn. Mosk. Gos. Univ., Fiz., Astron.,14, No. 5, 614 (1973)] studied the radiation spectrum of N equally spaced charges moving along a circle. In particular, it was shown that as N the intensity of the radiation from the system of charges vanishes. The present study will consider the radiation spectrum of N charges moving along an arbitrary closed curve, randomly distributed in the vicinity of equally spaced points. The coherency factor will be found for the assumption that: a) the distributions of individual charges are not intercorrelated; b) the charge distribution is such that in the vicinity of a given point only one charge is found. It will be shown that as N the radiation intensity tends to a finite limit.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 8–11, March, 1988.     

Two-photon synchrotron emission

A second-order effect of perturbation theory — two-photon synchrotron emission — is discussed for an ultrarelativistic electron in a constant and uniform magnetic field of strength H H₀ = 4.41 · 10¹³ Oe on the basis of the exact solutions of Dirac' s equation for this field. An equation is derived for the spectral-angular distribution (for both photons) of the probability of the process in question, taking into account the spin states and polarizations of the photons.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 9, pp. 46–52, September, 1976.     

Topography with synchrotron radiation

The capability of synchrotron radiation topography compared to related crystal defect imaging techniques is discussed. Recent experimental highlights in white beam, double crystal, and stroboscopic topography are reviewed. An outlook upon future experimental trends in synchrotron radiation topography is given.     

Heterodyne detection of synchrotron radiation

A time integral method for the study of resonant nuclear scattering of synchrotron radiation in the forward direction is presented. The method relies on the interference of radiation scattered by nuclei in two samples, one moving with respect to the other. The method, termed heterodyne detection of synchrotron radiation, gives the same information on hyperfine parameters as the well known differential method. The general formalism is developed for the case where the reference is a single line sample and the investigated sample has magnetic or quadrupole splitting. The first experiments are discussed. A comparison of time differential synchrotron radiation spectroscopy, heterodyne detection and Mössbauer spectroscopy is given.     

Nuclear resonant scattering of synchrotron radiation

Hyperfine Interactions -     

Microvascular imaging using synchrotron radiation

In vascular diseases, the involvement of small vessels can be very crucial physiologically. Morphological changes of vasculature and alterations may be promising characteristic criteria for investigating disease progression and for evaluating therapeutic effects. Visualization of microvasculatures is an important step in understanding the mechanism of early vessel disorders and developing effective therapeutic strategies. However, the microvessels involved are beyond the detection limit of conventional angiography, i.e. 200 µm. Thus, faster and higher‐resolution imaging technologies are desired to capture the early anatomical structure changes of vasculatures in study of the disease. A new angiography system, synchrotron radiation microangiography, has been developed in this study. It allows for enhanced sensitivity to contrast agents and superior image quality in spatial resolution. Iodine and barium sulfate were used as blood vessel contrast agents. Physiological features of whole‐body mouse microvasculature were investigated using synchrotron radiation for the first time. The intracranial vascular network and other blood vessels were observed clearly, and the related anatomy and vessel diameters were studied. Dynamic angiography in mouse brain was performed with a high spatial image resolution of around 20–30 µm. Future research will focus on the development of novel specific targeting contrast agents for blood vessel imaging in vivo with a long half‐life and fewer side effects.