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Source-This post on Disappearance of 6 Million Trees in India has been created based on the article “China inaugurates next-generation synchrotron, boasting world’s brightest X-rays” published in “The Times of India” on 17 May 2024.
Why in News?
China is about to complete its High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) facility in Huairou Science City in Beijing. After completion, it will be the brightest Synchrotron Radiation (SR) source and first fourth-generation synchrotron facilities in the world. High Energy Photon Synchrotron Radiation
About High Energy Photon Source (HEPS)
The HEPS is a next-generation synchrotron that generates a specific type of synchroton light source.
HEPS operates by accelerating electrons to nearly the speed of light and making them travel in a circular path. As these high-speed electrons change direction under the influence of magnetic fields, they emit Synchrotron Radiation, which includes X-rays. These X-rays are then harnessed for various scientific applications.
Salient Features of HEPS
1) It can accelerate electrons up to energies of 6 gigaelectron volts, within its storage ring, with 1.36 Km of circumference.
2) HEPS generates X-rays that are ten times brighter than those produced by existing synchrotron facilities, allowing for unprecedented clarity in imaging and analysis.
3) It offers extremely precise imaging capabilities, enabling scientists to observe and manipulate materials at the atomic and molecular levels.
4) It will reduce the time taken by experiments, from milliseconds to hundreds of nanoseconds.
Applications of HEPS
- Material Science: HEPS enables the detailed study of materials’ structure and properties, which is crucial for developing new materials with enhanced performance.
- Biology: The facility allows for the examination of biological molecules and complex protein structures, aiding in understanding diseases and developing new treatments.
- Nanotechnology: HEPS will support the development of nanotechnology by providing insights into the behavior of nanomaterials and their applications.
What is a Synchroton?
A synchrotron is a large circular machine, the size of a football field. It is a type of particle accelerator that produces high-energy X-rays and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. It accelerates electrons to near-light speeds and guide them in a circular path, causing them to emit synchrotron radiation.
Prominent synchrotron facilities include the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Advanced Photon Source (APS) in the USA.
