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PETRA IV

Research equipment

Game changer for research with X-ray light sources in Science City

Visualization of the research facility PETRA IV

© DESY, Science Communication Lab
View into the accelerator tunnel: Synchrotron light is directed from the ring of PETRA IV to over 30 experimental stations. More than 100 different measurement methods are available there to examine a wide variety of materials - from plant cells to metal samples.

People all over the world know Hamburg as a port city. In the world of science, however, Hamburg is primarily known as a location for particle accelerators. The particle accelerator PETRA generates synchrotron light - an ultra-bright X-ray light that allows researchers to look deep into materials and biological structures. This makes DESY's particle accelerators magnets for cutting-edge research: the X-ray light sources on the research campus - PETRA III, FLASH and European XFEL - attract thousands of researchers from all over the world every year.

Globally unique light

The PETRA III ring accelerator is now to be extensively modernized to become the ultimate X-ray light source PETRA IV. Thanks to a new, revolutionary storage ring technology and its ring circumference of 2300 meters, PETRA IV will be the brightest X-ray light source in the world for decades to come after the conversion. The radical conversion to PETRA IV will enable a multitude of completely new scientific investigations - which can then only be carried out in Hamburg. This is unique in the world!

Accelerate innovation with PETRA IV

The improved system aims to uncover the previously invisible: Doctors want to clarify how Alzheimer's develops and develop a cure. Materials researchers are looking for defects in batteries or solar cells in order to improve them. The research industry wants rapid quality control of its microchips so that Europe's semiconductor industry can become more competitive in the long term.

Preparatory measures are currently underway at DESY for PETRA IV, for example to develop prototypes for the new accelerators or beamlines. At the same time, newly created access to the facilities with AI-supported services is intended to attract new user groups. Up to 20 percent of measuring times could later be reserved for projects with industry.

In 2032, the brilliant X-ray light will be switched on for the first time at PETRA IV . As a central component of Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld , the large-scale research facility will significantly increase the attractiveness of Hamburg as a science and business location from that date at the latest.

DESY operates PETRA III and plans to upgrade the particle accelerator technologically - to a 4th generation machine. The machine will deliver faster and even higher quality data and results, while at the same time being more energy-efficient in operation. More space and new possibilities for experiments should help to gain valuable insights from research with synchrotron light.

Visualization

© DESY, Science Communication Lab
At PETRA IV , the X-ray light is focused to the maximum - to a tiny point. This produces images that are a hundred times more detailed than with PETRA III. Measurements can be carried out up to 500 times faster and the resolution of the imaging increases dramatically.

Contact us

Photo of DESY's consultant for large devices

© DESY, Marta Mayer

Heidrun Hillen

Consultant for large-scale research equipment

© DESY, Marta Mayer

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