New X-ray undulator to be introduced soon at the Japanese 2nd-generation 2.5 GeV synchrotron light source

The Photon Factory in Tsukuba, Japan commenced operation in 1982 as a typical 2^nd-generation synchrotron radiation facility. The 2.5 GeV storage ring is now being upgraded in order to maintain the competitiveness of its specifications in the field of X-ray sciences via the introduction of new mini-gap undulators. If such undulators are installed, it is possible to produce X-rays even at the 2.5 GeV ring (which does not have the same high energy as a 3^rd-generation source), since the spectra of undulator radiation depend on the periodic length of the magnet array, as well as the accumulation energy of the storage ring. The plan is to create new straight sections (BL-1, 3, 15, 17, 4, 18), as well as to lengthen the existing straight sections (BL-2, 5, 13, 14, 16, 19, 28). The facility will cease operation at the end of February 2005 and restart in the fall of the same year.