At the heart of the Advanced Photon Source Upgrade (APS-U) is a state-of-the-art optics system. This new system will produce X-ray beams of unprecedented brightness and coherence, empowering scientists to explore the structure and behavior of matter at the atomic and molecular level.

The APS-U optics system will be based on a technology called multi-bend achromat (MBA) lattice magnets, which are specially designed to correct for the chromatic aberrations that occur when X-rays pass through a magnetic field. This will enable the APS Upgrade to deliver high-brilliance X-ray beams over a broader range of energies than is possible with the existing APS.

The new optics system will also feature a number of other advanced technologies, including:

- High-precision alignment and control systems

- Advanced beamline design and optics

- Novel materials for X-ray mirrors and lenses

Benefits of the APS-U Optics System

The new optics system will significantly improve the performance of the APS, providing researchers with:

- Brighter X-rays beams, enabling higher sensitivity and faster data collection

- Coherent X-ray beams, allowing researchers to study the structure of materials in unprecedented detail

- A broader range of X-ray energies, opening up new possibilities for scientific exploration

Enabling Scientific Discoveries

The APS-U optics system will enable a wide range of scientific discoveries in fields such as:

- Materials science

- Chemistry

- Biology

- Medicine

- Nanoscience

- Environmental science

- Energy science

The new system will also provide new opportunities for industrial research and development, such as in the development of new drugs, materials, and devices.

The APS-U is a major investment in the future of science. The new optics system will ensure that the APS remains one of the leading light sources in the world, providing scientists with the tools they need to make groundbreaking discoveries.

Additional information:

- The APS-U optics system is being developed by a team of scientists and engineers at Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and numerous other institutions.

- The APS-U optics system will cost approximately $175 million to build.

- The APS-U is expected to begin operations in 2023.