Welcome to the Awesome Synchrotron repositoryโa comprehensive collection of resources, tools, and projects related to synchrotrons, particle accelerators, and synchrotron radiation. This repository aims to be the ultimate guide for researchers, engineers, and enthusiasts in the field.
Synchrotrons are particle accelerators that produce synchrotron radiation, a type of electromagnetic radiation emitted when charged particles travel at relativistic speeds through magnetic fields. This radiation is invaluable for a range of scientific applications, from materials science to biology.
In addition to synchrotron facilities, there are related facilities like neutron sources and proton accelerators that utilize similar technology but with different particles. These facilities contribute to a broader understanding of matter and advance numerous fields of research.
This repository is structured into several categories to help you navigate the complex world of synchrotrons.
Experience virtual tours of some of the leading synchrotron facilities and research centers around the world:
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Diamond Light Source: Explore the UKโs national synchrotron science facility through an immersive virtual tour. Discover the various beamlines and learn about the cutting-edge research conducted at Diamond Light Source.
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ELI Beamlines: Take a virtual tour of the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) Beamlines facility in the Czech Republic. This facility focuses on high-intensity laser research and provides a glimpse into its state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories.
These virtual tours offer a unique opportunity to explore and understand the inner workings of these advanced scientific facilities from the comfort of your own home.
- Open Source Projects: Explore the leading open-source projects and tools used in synchrotron research.
- Commercial Synchrotron Facilities: A list of major facilities around the world.
- Machine Learning at Synchrotrons: Learn how AI and machine learning are transforming data analysis and control systems in synchrotrons.
- Control Frameworks: Discover the frameworks used for managing and operating synchrotron beamlines.
- Data Acquisition Frameworks: Find out about the software used to capture and analyze data from synchrotron experiments.
- Pitch, Roll: Refers to the orientation angles of synchrotron beamline components.
- Frontend of the Beamline: The initial section of the beamline where the beam is conditioned.
- Optics Hutch: A shielded area in the beamline where the X-ray optics are located.
For additional definitions, explore these resources:
Here are some libraries commonly used at scientific facilities:
- NumPy: A fundamental library for numerical computing in Python, widely used for handling large arrays and matrices of data. NumPy Documentation
- SciPy: A Python library used for scientific and technical computing, building on NumPy and providing additional tools for optimization, integration, and statistics. SciPy Documentation
Explore more libraries:
- h5web: A web-based viewer for HDF5 files, offering an interactive way to explore and visualize data stored in the HDF5 format.
- xraylarch: A library for X-ray data analysis, designed for handling various types of X-ray spectroscopy and imaging data.
- Tomopy: A toolkit for tomographic reconstruction, which is commonly used in synchrotron imaging applications.
- Volume Segmantics: A tool for segmenting 3D volumes, particularly useful in medical and scientific imaging.
- PVWS: A web service interface for the EPICS control system, facilitating remote access to process variables.
- Ptypy: A library for ptychographic data processing, used in advanced X-ray imaging techniques.
- pyFAI: A Python library for fast azimuthal integration, used in X-ray diffraction and scattering experiments.
- HyperSpy: A Python library for multi-dimensional data analysis, widely used in electron microscopy and synchrotron beamline experiments.
- Journal of Synchrotron Radiation: A leading journal covering all aspects of synchrotron radiation, including scientific research and technical developments.
- RAYX: A simulation tool for X-ray optics, enabling the design and optimization of X-ray beamlines.
- p4p: A Python interface for the EPICS control system, enabling interaction with process variables in a more Pythonic way.
- Spectromicroscopy: A toolset for spectromicroscopy data analysis, often used in synchrotron radiation research.
Here are some key journals that publish research related to synchrotron radiation, X-ray science, and related fields:
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Journal of Synchrotron Radiation: A leading journal focused on the science and applications of synchrotron radiation, including both experimental and theoretical research.
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Nature Communications: Publishes high-quality research in all areas of the natural sciences, including synchrotron-related studies in physics, chemistry, and materials science.
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Advanced Materials: Covers research in materials science, including work that involves synchrotron techniques for the characterization of materials.
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Physical Review Letters: A premier journal for short, high-impact articles in physics, including synchrotron-based research.
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Applied Physics Letters: Publishes concise articles on applied physics, including synchrotron-based experimental techniques and applications.
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Journal of Applied Crystallography: Focuses on the practical applications of crystallography, often featuring synchrotron-based studies.
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Review of Scientific Instruments: Publishes articles on the development and application of scientific instruments, including those used in synchrotron radiation experiments.
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X-ray Spectrometry: Focuses on the use of X-ray spectroscopy techniques, often involving synchrotron sources.
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International Journal of Quantum Chemistry: Covers research in quantum chemistry, including studies using synchrotron radiation for chemical analysis.
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Journal of Chemical Physics: Publishes research on chemical physics, including synchrotron-based studies of molecular and material systems.
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Molecular Physics: Features research in molecular and materials physics, including synchrotron radiation studies.
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Synchrotron Radiation News: A magazine that provides news and updates on synchrotron research and facilities.
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Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy: Focuses on atomic spectroscopy techniques, including those involving synchrotron radiation.
These journals cover a broad range of topics related to synchrotron radiation, from fundamental physics and materials science to applied research and instrumentation. They provide valuable resources for staying updated on the latest advancements in the field.
Machine learning is playing a growing role in synchrotron facilities, aiding in tasks such as:
- Beamline Optimization: Using AI to optimize beamline settings for different experiments.
- Data Classification: Automating the classification of experimental results using machine learning models.
- Predictive Maintenance: Leveraging predictive models to anticipate equipment failures and schedule maintenance.
Key Resources:
- Machine Learning in Synchrotron Radiation Research, 2022 paper by Konstantinova et al.
Control frameworks are crucial for the operation of synchrotrons. They manage the complex systems that control particle beams and experimental setups.
- EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System): A set of open-source software tools, libraries, and applications used to create distributed soft real-time control systems for synchrotrons, particle accelerators, and other large scientific experiments. EPICS Documentation
- TANGO: A distributed control system for controlling synchrotrons, particle accelerators, and other scientific experiments. TANGO Controls
- VSystem: official website, not open source
- VSystem-EPICS migration story paper
Effective data acquisition is critical for synchrotron research. The following frameworks are widely used to capture and manage data from synchrotron experiments:
- Bluesky Project: An open-source data acquisition framework used at many synchrotrons to manage experiment workflows. Bluesky Project
- Yet Another Acquisition (YAQ): A modern and flexible data acquisition framework. YAQ Project
Lightsources.org provides a comprehensive list of light-making synchrotron facilities worldwide as Lightsources of the World:
- ALBA Synchrotron, Spain
- Advanced Light Source (ALS), USA
- Advanced Photon Source (APS), USA
- BESSY II, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Germany
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazil
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), USA
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), France
- Diamond Light Source (DLS), UK
- National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), USA
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC)
- Pohang Light Source II (PLS-II), South Korea
- PETRA III at DESY, Germany
- Photon Factory, Japan
- Rossendorf Beamline (ROBL) at ESRF
- Synchrotron Solaris, Poland
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), USA
The synchrotrons above were listed for noticing their open source software efforts as noted below.
While synchrotrons are primarily associated with electron accelerators, other facilities, such as neutron sources, also operate synchrotrons that use different types of particles. Notably, these facilities use protons or other particles rather than electrons. Here are some examples:
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Spallation Neutron Source (SNS): Located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the SNS generates neutrons through spallation, a process involving protons rather than electrons. The facility includes a proton accelerator and neutron production targets.
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European Spallation Source (ESS): An upcoming major neutron source in Sweden, the ESS will use protons to generate neutrons for research across various scientific disciplines. The facility aims to deliver advanced neutron beamlines for materials science, biology, and physics.
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J-PARC (Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex): Located in Japan, J-PARC is a multi-purpose facility that includes a high-intensity proton accelerator and neutron source. It provides neutron beams for a variety of research applications.
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ISIS Neutron and Muon Source: Based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the UK, ISIS uses protons to produce neutrons and muons, supporting research in materials science, engineering, and other fields.
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is known for its particle accelerators and collider experiments. Although CERN does not have a synchrotron dedicated to synchrotron radiation in the traditional sense, it does operate several synchrotron facilities and accelerators that use protons and other particles:
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Large Hadron Collider (LHC): The LHC is a proton synchrotron and the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator. It accelerates protons and heavy ions to near the speed of light and collides them to study fundamental particles and forces.
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Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS): The SPS is an intermediate accelerator at CERN, used to accelerate protons and heavy ions before they are injected into the LHC.
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Proton Synchrotron (PS): The PS was CERN's first proton synchrotron and serves as an important component in the chain of accelerators, providing protons for various experiments, including those at the SPS and LHC.
These facilities illustrate the diverse applications of synchrotron technology beyond traditional synchrotron radiation sources, including the use of protons and neutrons for scientific research.
Explore repositories and organizations related to synchrotron research:
- Synchrotron Topic on GitHub
- CHESS HEDM Tools
- Elettra
- LNLS Facilities
- Nanomax Tools
- MAX IV
- MAX IV Kits Controls
- SerialX Manacรก
- Sirius HLA
- MXCuBE
- Sirius PyQt Apps
- Taiwanese Tacotron2
- CHESS Computing
- CHESS Data Management
- CHESS Analysis Pipeline
- DESY PETRA III
- Photon Factory STARS
- Rossendorf Beamline (ROBL)
- Synchrotron Solaris
- ALBA Synchrotron
- Bluesky Project
Nexus is a common data format used in synchrotron experiments. Learn more about its usage and definitions.
A well-designed user interface can simplify the management of synchrotron experiments. Sometimes a command line or interactive python terminal is used. Recent years saw rise of web interfaces too, for example:
- DAIQUIRI at ESRF: A UI for data acquisition and visualization at ESRF.
Stay updated on the latest developments in synchrotron research by attending conferences like:
This README is designed to be a living document, regularly updated with new resources and tools. Contributions are welcome!