Aarhus University has announced the inauguration of its second particle accelerator ASTRID2, which will serve as one of the ultimate x-ray sources of the world.
The 46-m long ring can be utilized in a variety of scientific fields, and holds potential for testing new medication or facilitating the research of novel materials, in the future. Researchers at Institute of Physics and Astronomy have been involved in the development of the new accelerator since 2008, and about €5 million has been received from the Danish Ministry of Science for this purpose. Today, the institute has become the Head of Center to demonstrate the capability of the new ASTRID2.
ASTRID2 is capable of accelerating particles at a speed just below that of light, resulting in the emission of synchrotron radiation, a brilliant and powerful shortwave light that can be utilized in the atomic scale analysis of everything from nano-technological connections to biological systems.
Aarhus University launched its first accelerator ASTRID in 1991, becoming the first Danish institute to have such a large particle accelerator of its kind. In the past two decades, the university has played a significant role in scientific development and still has the only particle acceleration research center equipped with sophisticated instruments in the country, aiding research as well as education of future scientists.
Like its forerunner, ASTRID2 will serve effectively in fields such as autoimmune illness and in the research and development of future materials such as graphene.
Søren Pape Møller, Head of Institute of Storage Ring Facilities at Aarhus University, informed that with the expertise gained in the development and construction of accelerators such as ASTRID2, the institute can play a vital role in the research and development of radiation therapy and cancer patient treatment.
Source: http://www.au.dk