3D model of Diamond showing the individual beamlines

Artist's impression of Diamond, showing the constituent parts of the machine

An aerial view of Diamond Light Source

An aerial view of Diamond Light Source

An aerial view of Diamond Light Source

An aerial of Diamond Light Source

The Linac (short for 'linear accelerator') speeds up the electrons and then ejects the beam into the booster ring, where even more speed is added. From the booster, they are ejected into the storage ring, where the light can be used by scientists on the beamlines

Chris Christou, Diamond's Head of Radio Frequency Group, examines the Linac

Technicians working in the booster ring, where electrons recieved from the Linac are sped up to near light speeds before being ejected into the storage ring

Entry way to the storage ring. The electron beam travels through these tunnells, before being siphoned off into the beamlines for scientists to use in their experiments. The live electron beam means that access is restricted to when the machine is shut down

A view along the storage ring. The electron beam travels through these tunnells, before being siphoned off into the beamlines for scientists to use in their experiments. The live electron beam means that access is restricted to when the machine is shut down

A view along the storage ring. The electron beam travels through these tunnells, before being siphoned off into the beamlines for scientists to use in their experiments. The live electron beam means that access is restricted to when the machine is shut down

A view along the storage ring. The electron beam travels through these tunnells, before being siphoned off into the beamlines for scientists to use in their experiments. The live electron beam means that access is restricted to when the machine is shut down

One of the sextupole magnets responsible for bending the electron beam around in a circle

Dr. Katherine McAuley, principal beamline scientist on I03, Diamond's high-containment beamline for infectious material.

A scientist using the Membrane Protein Laboratory, a key facility for the study of biomedical science

Professor Nick Terrill, principal beamlne scienctist on I22, Diamond's small angle beamline, which specialises in the study of materials under extreme conditions.

Dr Rohanah Hussain, beamline scientist on B23, Diamond's circular dichroism beamline for the study of biological and chemical sciences.

The equipment on I04, one of Diamond's 5 macromolecular crystallography beamlines. Crystallography is used to pinpoint the atomic structure of materials.

A sample plate on I24 - each of the small compartments contains a minute sample to be studies. I24 is one of Diamond's 5 macromolecular crystallography beamlines. Crystallography is used to pinpoint the atomic structure of materials.

The robot on I03, Diamond's high-containment beamline for infectious materials. This robot transfers the samples so that the process is completely automated, requiring no human contact.

A technician working on the storage ring. The electron beam travels through these tunnells, before being siphoned off into the beamlines for scientists to use in their experiments. The live electron beam means that access is restricted to when the machine is shut down

A workman preserving the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose. Samples of the ship were studied on B18, Diamond's absorbtion spectroscopy beamline, which allows scientists to see the different elements within their sample and view how other substances are absorbed. These studies led to an improved solution with which to conserve the ancient relic.

Mary Rose researcher Ellie Schofield, from the Mary Rose Trust, on Diamond's absorbtion spectroscopy beamline B18, with a wood sample from the ship.

Andy Dore and Kaspar Hollenstein from Heptares Theraputics examine a sample on I24, one of Diamond's 5 macromolecular crystallography beamlines. Heptares recently used I24 to solve the receptor in the brain responsible for stress and depression, leading to potential new treatments.

Abhay Kotecha, from Oxford STRUBI, investigates samples on one of Diamond's 5 macromolecular crystallography beamlines, I24. Abhay was recently part of a team that developed a potential new vaccine for foot-and-mouth-disease using the facilties at Diamond.

Andy Neal, from Rothamsted Research, on Diamond's microfocus spectroscopy beamline I18. Andy recently used I18 to investigate means of creating enhanced, non-GM grain, capable of providing highly-nutritous wheat - a finding which could be vital for nutrition in the third world.