Simulations and worksheets

Diamond has developed a set of interactive simulations in conjunction with the Virtual Physical Laboratory to explain the physics of the machine, including electric fields, electromagnetic radiation and vacuum properties. Each simulation demonstrates how this knowledge is applied at Diamond and provides instructions and theoretical background information on each area.

You can download a version to run on your own computer.

Worksheets to accompany the simulations have been produced containing more information, calculations and 'can you explain' type activities. The calculations are aimed at a post-16 level (but all data is given and anyone can attempt them)

• Download a zip file containing the simulations
• Download student worksheets
• Request teacher's notes

Below are a mixture of animations and simulations that show the journey from the initial acceleration of an electron to using x-ray's to produce diffraction patterns off crystal samples.

Synchrotron: a bunch of electrons as it travels from the linac, through the booster and into the storage ring

Electron Gun: The electrons used by Diamond begin their journey at the Electron Gun.

The Linac: After electrons leave the electron gun they enter the linear accelerator, or linac.

Dipole Magnets: The dipole magnets are used to bend the path of the electrons as they travel around the ring.

Vacuum: An electron beam travelling through air will quickly lose electrons as they collide with air molecules and lose energy or get scattered.

Undulator: Undulators are a type of insertion device - an array of magnets inserted into the path of the beam which causes a change in the path.

Beamlines: The synchrotron X-rays generated by the undulators passes into the beamline, where it has to be shaped and focused before it can be used in an experiment.