The SOLEIL synchrotron commences operation

Located on the Plateau de Saclay, in the Essonne department, SOLEIL is the second 3^rd-generation synchrotron to be built in France - the first one, the ESRF in Grenoble, was a European project. Very recently, SOLEIL accelerated and injected electrons for the first time in its storage ring. On May 14, the electrons turned at a speed close to that of light in the 354 m circumference storage ring. The first 2.75 GeV beam injection from the Booster started around noon on May 13. After 12 hours spent on measurements and adjustments, the electrons made a full turn, and the first photon beams were observed. For more information, visit http://www.synchrotron-soleil.fr/anglais/index.html