What can synchrotron radiation do for me?

Abstract

The SIAM Photon Source is designed to produce an intense beam of synchrotron radiation in a spectral range spanning from the Infra-red to hard X-rays. This radiation can be used for basic and applied research in many areas ranging from Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Drug Development, Environmental studies, Material Science to Physics and other areas. The wide application of this radiation is due to its short wavelength, especially that of X-rays being of the order of 1 Angström, which is the scale for atomic arrangements and is therefore specially suited to study atomic and molecular structures. The high intensity of the radiation allows, for example, the detection and study of minute sample concentrations, the determination of atomic structures and it can be used for microscopy with a resolution below 50 nm. Scattering synchrotron radiation from crystals is widely used to study and solve protein structures in support of drug developments. Environmental science makes use of synchrotron radiation because of its high sensitivity and element specificity.
In this talk, experimental capabilities and opportunities at the SIAM Photon Source will be discussed together with examples of applications at laboratories worldwide and potential applications of interest in Thailand, ASEAN and surrounding countries.