Brillant Light from Cutting Edge Technologies

Coherent sources of light such as Free Electron Lasers (FELs) are now modern microscopes in science. With the help of the extremely brilliant light that FELs can produce over a wide range of wavelengths, some of the most elusive scientific questions can be effectively answered. These important questions cover matter and novel materials, artificial quantum structures, semiconductor devices, as well as organic and biological samples related to the environment or drug discovery. With special technologies like near field techniques it is possible to overcome fixed measuring limits such as the diffraction limit according to Abbe and to explore some of the smallest building blocks of the world. By means of hard X-rays from X-ray FELs, the chemical structure of complex molecules, e.g. Proteins, can be determined. With the extreme electric fields of long-wave THz rays, the electronic states of solids can be examined or altered, or, for example, the signals of nerves through the membranes of neurons can be investigated. Furthermore, the ultrashort pulses of FEL light can probe the dynamics of fundamental physical and chemical processes with unprecedented resolution. To this extent, accelerator research facilities play a decisive role in science. In addition, such advanced technologies as accelerator systems and free electron lasers provide many other benefits beyond the applications for basic scientific research these technologies and research facilities are the sources of knowledge and training for young students and scientists. Building an accelerator can also benefit the national and local industry. For example, the development of new technologies and methods often also lead to industrial applications and in the process, many personnel are trained. In Dresden-Rossendorf, an accelerator center was built after the reunification of Germany, and in 2001, the ELBE superconducting accelerator went into operation with a variety of secondary sources, including FELs. Today, ELBE is a globally recognized facility drawing scientists and engineers from around the world. More than 70 user groups carry out experiments annually in basic and applied research. Hundreds of publications and scientific contributions to conferences and workshops were held in many areas of science. ELBE is an extremely positive example of how the ambitious establishment of a complicated accelerator facility drives the success of a scientific research center.