Researchers follow the light Science needs high-quality light sources to conduct advanced experiments. A recent project has worked on developing laboratories with more accessible facilities for medical X-ray imaging and radiation therapy applications. Industrial Technologies © Thinkstock The field of life sciences requires sophisticated tools such as high-quality light sources that operate in the infrared, soft X-ray and hard X-ray wavelengths. Although Europe possesses cutting-edge synchrotron and free electron laser facilities, access is booked in advance and remains restricted for non-standard experiments. The EU-funded project 'Laboratory compact light sources' (LABSYNC) aimed to facilitate high-quality tuneable light to perform advanced experiments on a local laboratory scale. The project worked on building laboratories using existing Mirrorcle technology, based on the interaction between matter and electrons to produce quality electron beams. It demonstrated that the Mirrorcle prototype could fill the gap between large-scale equipment and existing laboratory sources, as it is tuneable within a wide range of frequencies. Under a partnership between European and Japanese researchers, LABSYNC developed a plan to upgrade the functionality of the Mirrorcle technology to meet the needs of scientists. It explored medical X-ray imaging, including phase contrast and parametric radiation, as well as radiation therapy applications. Possibilities for researching materials and conducting in situ thin film characterisation studies were also examined. After thoroughly characterising Mirrorcle devices, the project team worked on optimising infrared, soft X-ray and hard X-ray specifications. It designed new features that could be integrated into the Mirrorcle system, such as a far-infrared beam line, a hard X-ray monochromatic beam line and another for medical imaging. After making significant progress in this area, the project consortium shifted focus to other types of light sources. In the latter part of its mandate, LABSYNC focused on investigating the potential of low-energy, X-ray photon therapy using photoemission and nanoparticles. It also studied the implementation of a liquid-metal-jet anode X-ray tube in extreme conditions such as high magnetic fields. This complex multifaceted research will go a long way in providing a viable laboratory environment with advanced light sources that could provide state of the art multi-diagnostics in-situ, medical imaging and therapy.
