Technology | Components of the machine

The Diamond machine

The machine is an assembly of components used to produce, confine and maintain a high energy electron beam in a closed orbit for periods of several hours while the electrons produce synchrotron light for a wide variety of experiments. 

3D model of the machine


The synchrotron machine consists of:

  • an electron gun to produce a stream of low energy electrons;
  • a linear accelerator to increase the electron’s energy;
  • a booster synchrotron to further accelerate the electron beam to its final energy;
  • the storage ring to maintain the energy and confine the electron beam as it produces synchrotron light.
For more information about each component, click on the relevant number e.g. 1 or 2.