Synchrotron Radiation: The Light Fantastic
Herman Winick, Assistant Director and Professor
Emeritus, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
This lecture is available for online viewing.
27 April 2004
Abstract:
What happens when scientists and engineers suddenly have access
to an x-ray source that is one million times more intense than
anything they have used before? The answer is A REVOLUTION,
much like that which resulted from the introduction of lasers and
high speed computers. Herman Winick will discuss how such intense
beams of short wavelength light, or x-rays, are produced by high
energy electron accelerators at SLAC and 50 other laboratories
around the world, and the profound impact that they are having on
many areas of basic and applied research. Particular examples
include the use of these x-rays to unravel the mysteries of protein
function (leading to new drugs to combat disease) and understand the
nature of toxic contaminants in soil and water (leading to
remediation strategies).
About the speaker:
Herman Winick first observed synchrotron radiation 42 years ago. He
came to Stanford in 1973 to take charge of the design and
construction of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL)
and has since been involved with the development of synchrotron
radiation sources and facilities at SLAC and around the world.