More than 300 Scientists at SRF 2009 in Berlin
International Conference on RF-Superconductivity and Accelerator Physics was a great success!
International Conference on RF-Superconductivity and Accelerator Physics was a great success! The HZB hosted an important international conference, SRF 2009 (International Conference of Radiofrequency Superconductivity) from September 20 to 25. Professor Dr. Anke Rita Kaysser-Pyzalla welcomed the interested scientists in her opening speech at dbb Forum in Berlin. The number of attendants exceeded all expectations. More than 300 scientists took advantage of this opportunity to discuss the latest results in SRF research and technology development.
RF superconductivity has evolved over the last decades into the enabling technology for many accelerators for particle physics, nuclear physics and, increasingly, light sources. The European Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) in Hamburg and the recently commissioned Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge, USA are exciting examples of the varied applications of SRF.
The SRF 2009 was organised by HZB in cooperation with the Forschungszentrum Dresden - Rossendorf. In Rossendorf, 13 tutorial sessions were held from 17th to 19th of September. Notable professionals passed on their extensive knowledge and experience in the field of SRF to about 90 participating scientists.
Please click here for more information on the SRF 2009: http://srf2009.helmholtz-berlin.de
- BESSY II: Phosphorus chains – a 1D material with 1D electronic propertiesFor the first time, a team at BESSY II has succeeded in demonstrating the one-dimensional electronic properties in phosphorus. The samples consisted of short chains of phosphorus atoms that self-organise at specific angles on a silver substrate. Through sophisticated analysis, the team was able to disentangle the contributions of these differently aligned chains. This revealed that the electronic properties of each chain are indeed one-dimensional. Calculations predict an exciting phase transition to be expected as soon as these chains are more closely packed. While material consisting of individual chains with longer distances is semiconducting, a very dense chain structure would be metallic.
- What vibrating molecules might reveal about cell biologyInfrared vibrational spectroscopy at BESSY II can be used to create high-resolution maps of molecules inside live cells and cell organelles in native aqueous environment, according to a new study by a team from HZB and Humboldt University in Berlin. Nano-IR spectroscopy with s-SNOM at the IRIS beamline is now suitable for examining tiny biological samples in liquid medium in the nanometre range and generating infrared images of molecular vibrations with nanometre resolution. It is even possible to obtain 3D information. To test the method, the team grew fibroblasts on a highly transparent SiC membrane and examined them in vivo. This method will provide new insights into cell biology.
- Porous Radical Organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteriesA team led by Prof. Yan Lu, HZB, and Prof. Arne Thomas, Technical University of Berlin, has developed a material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries. The material is based on polymers that form a framework with open pores (known as radical-cationic covalent organic frameworks or COFs). Catalytically accelerated reactions take place in these pores, firmly trapping polysulphides, which would shorten the battery life. Some of the experimental analyses were conducted at the BAMline at BESSY II.