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PETRA IV
The world’s most powerful synchrotron radiation source
DESY is developing what will be the world’s most powerful synchrotron radiation source: PETRA IV will act as the ultimate X-ray microscope for nanoresearch, with outstanding potential for users from industry and with socially relevant applications in energy research, information technology, mobility, the environment and medicine.
With PETRA III, DESY operates one of the best storage-ring-based X-ray light sources in the world. Research groups from all over the world use the particularly brilliant, intense X-rays for a variety of experiments – from medical to materials research. But the 2300-metre-long facility has even more potential. DESY is planning to expand it into the world’s most powerful X-ray light source of its kind: a high-resolution 3D X-ray microscope for chemical and physical processes that will revolutionise X-ray analytics and secure Germany’s leading position in this field.
PETRA IV extends the X-ray view to all length scales, from the atom to millimetres. Researchers can thus analyse processes inside a catalyst, a battery or a microchip under realistic operating conditions and specifically tailor materials with nanostructures. PETRA IV also offers outstanding possibilities and optimal experimental conditions for industry.
You will find more detailed information about the project on the PETRA IV webpages.
- Circumference: 2300 metres
- Construction of the accelerator within the existing PETRA ring tunnel
- Highest spatial resolution for all X-ray techniques by focusing the synchrotron radiation on the smallest spot
- Closes the resolution gap between 1–10 nanometres (millionths of a millimetre)
- For the analysis of very small and inhomogeneous samples
- Enables non-destructive investigations of chemical and physical processes in catalysis, battery research and microelectronics
