Colloquium: Synchrotron X-ray fundamental and applications

ABSTRACT

Relativistic charged particles compelled to traverse curved trajectories due to applied magnetic fields emit electromagnetic radiation known as Synchrotron Radiation. In contemporary times, electron storage rings are routinely employed to generate synchrotron radiation, catering to a broad spectral range encompassing infrared to hard X-rays. The distinctive attributes of synchrotron radiation render it a formidable investigative tool across various domains, including molecular and atomic physics, cell biology, medical applications, nanotechnology, catalysis, and cultural heritage.

Over time, three generations of synchrotron radiation sources have emerged, progressively enhancing radiation quality. The advent of the fourth generation, built upon free-electron lasers, has ushered in the production of potent, ultrafast pulses of immensely coherent radiation. In this presentation, I will delve into the core traits and features of synchrotron radiation sources, highlighting their application in the fields of chemistry and material sciences.

BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Yu-Sheng Chen (Fellow, American Crystallography Association) received his Ph.D. degree in physics from the University of Toledo, Ohio, in 2003. For the past 2 decades, he has worked as a beamline scientist applying advanced radiation sources. He is currently a research professor at The University of Chicago and a lead scientist in Advanced Crystallography/NSF’s ChemMatCARS at Argonne National Laboratory. His current research has been focused on high energy X-ray single crystal diffraction, structural dynamic studies, resonant single crystal diffraction/diffraction anomalous fine structure, etc. He has published more than 230 peer-reviewed journal articles, review articles, and books, including Energetic Materials Book Review – X-ray crystallography, beyond structure in energetic materials (Elsevier, 2003.), and New Fluorinated Carbons, Fundamentals and Applications (Elsevier, 2017). Prof. Chen is an elected fellow of the American Crystallography Association in 2016.