News

On the 19th of March, a selected group of the L6 Physics A-level students had the amazing opportunity of visiting the UK’s national synchrotron, The Diamond Light Source Synchrotron - located in Oxfordshire.

Diamond is more than half a kilometre in circumference, and is used to develop very intense beams of X-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light. This very bright light is required to operate optical microscopes, which scientists need in order to study molecules and atoms. 

The synchrotron works by accelerating electrons to nearly the speed of light, and uses magnets to manipulate them into emitting light.

We were taken on a tour around Diamond, and got a chance to see some of the incredible technology used to power the synchrotron. We were also shown several fascinating projects that make use of the multiple wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum that the synchrotron produces.

What I found particularly memorable was seeing the Macromolecular Crystallography project, which used X-rays to reveal the shape of biological molecules at atomic resolution. It was described as the highest resolution camera in the world! 

Other research areas currently using the Synchrotron include, COVID-19 Research, Energy and even Cultural Heritage.

Thank you to Mr Speller and Mr Mahon who organised the trip, and for ensuring we had an insightful, exciting and educational experience. 

Written by Lilya Trewin


Image 1: A Computer rendered image of proteins, using the information gathered by the optical microscope.

Image 2: Inside the Synchrotron, standing metres above the accelerated electrons.

Image 3: Part of the apparatus used to photograph proteins.