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Synchrotron shines its first light

26 July 2006

From left: Ludwig Institute Director Professor Tony Burgess, Professor Larkins, the Australian Synchrotron's lead accelerator physicist Mr Greg LeBlanc and Minister Brumby at the announcement of first light.

The Australian Synchrotron at Monash University has celebrated a major achievement -- the machine has produced light for the first time.

'First light' was achieved at 3.15 am on 13 July. The milestone was announced at the synchrotron last week by the Victorian Minister for Innovation, Mr John Brumby.

Guests at the announcement included Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins and Director of the Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science Professor Rob Lewis.

Professor Lewis said the achievement of first light demonstrated that the components of the machine were working as planned.

"For those of us involved in synchrotron science, this is a major milestone," Professor Lewis said. "To have this facility right on our doorstep is a great opportunity for Monash to take a pre-eminent position in the development of synchrotron science and in the application of the synchrotron to many research fields."

From left: Professor Larkins, Minister Brumby and the Australian Synchrotron's lead accelerator physicist Mr Greg LeBlanc in the synchrotron control room.

A synchrotron is a large and complex machine that produces intense light beams. Synchrotron light can be used to produce detailed images for medical purposes, create tiny 3-D structures out of silicon and polymers and reveal the structure of materials down to a molecular level.

Monash has been expanding its synchrotron research base over the past few years, positioning itself at the forefront of synchrotron science in Australia.

The $157 million Australian Synchrotron is scheduled to open in 2007.