A new radiation source for the infrared region

Spectroscopy in the far-infrared and millimetre-microwave regions has always been hampered by the lack of intense broad-band sources. After several predictions 1–4 suggesting the possibility of obtaining improved infrared fluxes from an electron source, the Daresbury (SERC) synchrotron storage ring (SRS) has now been shown to produce an intense and very bright source of infrared photons. The infrared port (IR-13(1)) at Daresbury will provide scientists interested in the microscopic structure and dynamics of materials with a radiation source having several unique properties. As well as these properties, we describe here the work that has been done, since January 1984, in characterizing the infrared beam and suggest some wide-ranging potential experimental applications.