A New UK Synchrotron, December 1999

Synchrotrons are powerful X-ray sources, used to probe the structures of materials at the atomic level. They have a wide range of applications. The UK already has a major Synchrotron Radiation Source, at Daresbury, Cheshire. The decision to build a new national synchrotron has raised issues over its design and location. This POST Note examines the need for a new UK synchrotron and analyses the issues that arise.