Australian scientists are set to gain access to the world’s most powerful X-ray laser facility following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japanese SPring-8 Centre.
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has signed the MOU on behalf of the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science (ACAS), meaning that the benefits will also be available to ANSTO’s ACAS partners, Melbourne University, Australian National University and the Australian Synchrotron.
The agreement will allow Australian scientists to explore the sub-microscopic world using the 1 km long “SACLA” free electron laser, as well as a suite of other top scientific facilities at the SPring-8 centre in Japan. ANSTO’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Adi Paterson said this agreement demonstrates the value of pooling Australia’s top experts in accelerator science into one body known as ACAS.
“By bringing together Australia’s top organisations in the field of accelerator science, we are able to negotiate exciting agreements like this with top international research organisations,” Dr Paterson said.
“This field of research has the potential to shape the modern world. Studies into atomic structures can provide breakthroughs in biomedical research, new clean energy sources and understanding how the universe was created."
ANSTO is the home of Australia’s nuclear expertise, while the owner of SPring-8 is RIKEN (the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), Japan’s flagship research institution devoted to basic and applied research.
SPring-8 (an acronym of Super Photon Ring – 8 GeV) is a major facility that includes the worlds largest third generation synchrotron, as well as the newly commissioned SACLA (Spring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser), only the second of its kind in the world. X-ray free electron lasers produce intense X-ray beams and will open up completely new areas of science and innovation.
The agreement will open up opportunities for reciprocal visits of research personnel and scholars and facilitate greater co-operation.
Published: 08/09/2011