Technology | Front End

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


Front Ends

A front end is fitted to the storage ring where synchrotron light is chanelled into a beamline. The front end connects to the storage ring at a tangent and passes through the shield wall into the optics hutch.

The main functions of a front end are:

  1. To allow synchrotron light generated in the storage ring to pass through to a beamline;
  2. To monitor the position of the synchrotron light;
  3. To protect the storage ring if there is a leak in the beamline;
  4. To remove as much of the heat as possible from the synchrotron light;
  5. To allow safe access into the optics hutch when required.