Australian Synchrotron

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Australian Synchrotron schema
1. Electron gun
2. Linear accelerator
3. Booster ring
4. Storage ring
5. Beam line
6. End station (laboratory)

The Australian Synchrotron is a 3 GeV synchrotron being built in Melbourne, Australia. It is located next to the Clayton campus of Monash University, on the former site of the Clayton drive in.

The Storage ring is a 216 metre ring that circulates electrons to create Synchrotron Light. The light is directed down separate Beam lines at the end of which may be placed a variety of experimental equipment.

All mechanical and electrical installation was completed in early 2006 and commissioning commenced soon after. On June 8, 2006, electrons were extracted from the Booster Ring and injected into the Storage ring for the first time. First turn (the passage of electrons around the full 360 degrees circumference of the Storage ring) was achieved shortly thereafter.

"First Light" (the sustained generation of Synchrotron Light) was observed early on the morning of 14 July, 2006, when a 1 mA current was stored for a period of several minutes and X-rays were detected by the X-Ray Diagnostic Beamline.

The facility is due to open in early 2007. Research capabilities will include: