Photon Factory

Inter-University Research Institute Corporation

High Energy Accelerator Research Organization

The 2.5 GeV Photon Factory ring (PF ring), in operation since 1982, is thefirst dedicated synchrotron radiation facility in the X-ray region in Japan.
Over the past 40 years, several major upgrades have been carried out toincrease the brightness of the synchrotron radiation.
Another light source accelerator at KEK, Photon Factory Advanced Ring(PF-AR), is the world's only synchrotron radiation source dedicated topulsed X-rays. The PF-AR began to use synchrotron radiation in 1987 incoexistence with a particle physics experiments, and was upgraded to a
dedicated light source in 2002.
As an Inter-University Research Organization, KEK has provided many
researchers throughout Japan and abroad with research platforms andassociated technologies using Photon Factory. The findings generated fromthese efforts have led to a deeper understanding of materials and life, as
well as to technologies for creating a sustainable society.
Photon Factory is a facility belonging to KEK, a global center of excellencein accelerator science. Fully utilizing this advantage, Photon Factory has
continuously produced new accelerator technologies and human resourcesthat are leading the world's synchrotron radiation science. And now we areon our way to an even better "factory of photon" that will make visible what
was previously invisible.

What is synchrotron radiation?
Synchrotron radiation is electromagnetic waves (light) emitted when electrons accelerated to nearly
the speed of light undergo a magnetic field that changes their direction. It covers a wide range ofwavelengths from infrared to X-rays.
X-rays, soft X-rays, and vacuum ultraviolet, which are light with short wavelengths, can observe thenanoscale properties of materials, such as the atomic arrangement and the behavior of electrons.
Synchrotron radiation is a bright light with highly directional properties that enables precise and accurate measurement of small samples. It also has polarizing and pulsed properties, and research isbeing conducted by using these properties, such as studying the orientation of molecules andobserving chemical reactions or phase transitions.
CellBacteria

Virus

Macromolecule Molecule

AtomSize
Visible light UVBrilliance (photons/sec/mm2/mrad2/0.1%b.w.)

The synchrotron radiation facility at the High Energy Accelerator Research
Organization (KEK), is widely known as the 'Photon Factory'. Synchrotron
radiation is bright, short-wavelength light produced by accelerators and is
an excellent tool for observing materials and life at the nanoscale.

1019

1000

VUV

100

1017

Soft X-rays

10

X-rays1

0.1

Wavelength(nm)

Spectrum fromundulator

1015

1013

NanoTerasu

Spectrum frombending magnet(commissioning)

SPring-8
SACLA
New SUBARU

1011

Sunlight

109

107

SAGA-LS

X-ray tube
110102

103

104

HiSOR

Aichi SR

Rits SR

Photon Factory(PF, PF-AR)

UVSOR105Photon Energy (eV)In 2023, there are nine facilities and ten light sources (including
X-ray free electron lasers) in operation in Japan. Three of thesefacilities, Photon Factory, UVSOR of Institute for Molecular
Science, and HiSOR of Hiroshima University, are collaborating as
synchrotron radiation facilities for academic purposes.

Beamlines ofPhoton Factory

Beamlines of Photon Factory

Synchrotron radiation experiments - Create light and illuminate with light.-

As of 2023, there are a total of 48 beamlines: 39 in the PF ring (including those under construction or planned) and 9 in thePF-AR.
AR-NW2A Time-resolved XAFS, X-ray microscopy and XRD

AR-NW10A High-energy XAFSAR-NW12A Macromolecular Crystallography

AR-NE1A X-ray Diﬀraction andMössbauer Spectroscopy at High Pressure

AR-NW14A Time-resolved Diﬀraction and Scattering

AR-NE3A Macromolecular Crystallography
for Drug Design
AR-NE5C High-pressure and High-temperature
X-ray Diﬀraction (MAX-80)

Synchrotron radiation produced by accelerators is processed in beamlines and directed to experimental instruments. ThePhoton Factory, an academic facility, allows researchers not only to use the instruments, but also to develop highly original
research equipment including beamline.(Using BL-2 as an example, we will introduce the technologies used in the processfrom the production of light to its irradiation onto a sample.)❶ Accelerator /Insertion device (generation of light)❷ Beamline (processing of light)❸ Experimental apparatus(utilization of light)

Development of the first in-vacuum undulator in the world

Light source accelerator
The ring-shaped light source accelerator has a circular array of bending magnets that bend
electron orbits to generate light. The straight sections between the bending magnets are equippedwith undulators, which generate highly brilliant light. In synchrotron radiation experiments wheresmall samples are analyzed, the quality of the light source greatly affects the quality of experiment.
Photon Factory has undergone several upgrades based on the latest accelerator technology since
its first beam of 40 years ago, and remains competitive to this day.
electron beam
synchrotron radiation

AR-NE7A X-ray Imaging and X-ray Diﬀraction
Experiments at High Pressure

BLs for X-ray Diffraction
BLs for X-ray Spectroscopy
BLs for Macromolecular Crystallography
BLs for Small Angle X-ray Diffraction

BL-28A/B Variable Polarization VUV andSoft X-ray Spectroscopy

BLs for Imaging, High Pressure, Time-Resolved Experiment etc.

BL-1A Macromolecular Crystallography
BL-2A/B Multiple Undulator beamline for Spectroscopic
Analysis of Surface and HeteroInterface :MUSASHI
and Photoelectron Spectroscopy Station

Undulator

AR-SE2A
Detector Test Beamline [IPNS, KEK]

Multipole Wiggler
Vertical Wiggler

BL-3C X-ray Optics/White X-ray Magnetic Diﬀraction
BL-3B VUV Photoelectron Spectroscopy

BL-20A VUV Spectroscopy

BL-4A Trace Element Analysis/X-ray Microbeam

BL-20B White & Monochromatic X-ray Topography and Diﬀraction

BL-4B2 Powder Diﬀraction

BL-19A/B Soft X-ray microscopy (STXM) and spectroscopy

BL-4C X-ray Diﬀraction Experiment
BL-5A Macromolecular Crystallography

BL-18B Versatile Hard X-ray Station [DST, India]

BL-6A Small-angle X-ray Scattering

BL-18C High Pressure X-ray Powder Diﬀraction (DAC)

BL-6C X-ray Diﬀraction and Scattering
BL-7C Versatile Hard X-ray Experiment
BL-8B Powder/Single-crystal Diffraction
under Extreme Conditions

The processed light is irradiated onto thesample and data are acquired (photo: insitu high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectrometer installed at BL-2).

A superconducting magnet is equipped to enable X-ray diffraction experiments under a high magnetic field. Resonant X-ray scattering, which utilizes
polarized X-rays, is used to study the ordered state of charge, orbital, and spinin materials. Research using this technique will lead to the development of
next-generation devices such as spintronics devices.

BL-16A Variable Polarization Soft X-ray Spectroscopy
BL-15A2 High-brilliance Small-angle X-ray ScatteringBL-8A Powder/Single-crystal Diffraction
under Extreme Conditions

BL-15A1 Semi-microbeam XAFS

BL-9A High-intensity and Low-energy XAFSThe electron beam accelerated by the injector is delivered to the light source accelerator. The injector linac
injects electron beams into two synchrotron radiation rings (PF ring and PF-AR) and electron and positron
beams into the collider SuperKEKB. In 2017, an upgrade was completed to allow each ring to be injected withelectron and positron beams of different energies and charge, switching between them at high speeds. With
this upgrade, the two synchrotron rings are now operating in top-up mode, i.e., the electron beam is injected
continually and the stored current is kept constant.

BL-19A/B Beamline for soft X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy
A scanning transmission X-ray
microscope (STXM), which canidentify not only elements but
also different compounds madeof the same element, is installed.
The STXM is used in many scientific fields, including environmental, earth, planetary sciences,and new innovations in industry.

Asteroid Ryugu samples were also analyzed.

BL-14C X-ray Imaging and Multi-purpose Experiments

BL-9C in-situ XAFSHAYABUSA2-IMSS
Analysis of asteroid Ryugu

BL-14A Single Crystal Structure Analysis/Detector Development

BL-10A X-ray Diﬀraction and Scattering
BL-10C Small-angle X-ray Scattering

BL-14B High-precision X-ray Optics

BL-11A R&D Beamline(in planning)

BL-13A/B Variable Polarization VUV and Soft X-ray Spectroscopy

BL-11B R&D Beamline(in planning)

BL-12C High-throughput XAFS

BL-12A Soft and Tender X-ray Beamline(under construction)

Proposing future light sources using the world's most advanced
accelerator technology
Photon Factory is currently discussing a new light source accelerator suitable fora world-class accelerator research institute. The "Hybrid Ring" is a new conceptof synchrotron radiation accelerator in which two types of beams, an ultra-highperformance single-pass beam and a high-performance, general-purpose storage beam, coexist, allowing selective and simultaneous use of the two types ofbeams.
b

Typical RF and bunch structure of LINACb（ Future option: Energy Recovery ）（ RTL ）

Superconducting LINAC
Concept of Hybrid Ring

TopicsThe Photon Factory opened its first dedicated proteincrystallography beamline with a Weissenberg camera in
the mid-1980s. Prof. Ada Yonath, who was awarded theNobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009 for her work on thestructure-function analysis of ribosomes, was conducting
her experiments at the Photon Factory at this time. The
cryo-crystallography developed at the time led to thesuccessful structural analysis.
The research team of Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi, who wasawarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine inProf. Ada Yonath and her colleague of Photon
2016, has also published about 20 papers on the structurFactory at the time in 1980’s (photo taken in March2010).
al analysis of autophagy-related proteins.
There is also a cryo-electron microscope in operation at KEK's Tsukuba campus, which has maderemarkable progress in the structural analysis of proteins. Many outcomes have been achieved,
ranging from basic research that explores the mechanisms of life to applied research that leads todrug developments.

BL-18B Beamline operated by DST, India
Since 2009, the beamline has been operated by the Department of Science andTechnology (DST), Government of India.
Mainly diffraction and scattering experiments of various materials, including
liquid surfaces and solid-liquid interfaces
are performed. The beamline contributes
to synchrotron radiation research and to
the training of young researchers in India.

from injector linac

Special arrangements in which two beams are irradiated to a sample at the same time
are also available to promote research and development for the future light source.

bDump

For the development of technologies necessary for future synchrotron radiation science, a dedicated beamline for research anddevelopment is planned, which allows free experimental arrangements. It will also be used to train young beamline scientists.

bSingle Pass BeamwithStorage Beam

1 nC x 10000 bunches

BL-11A,11B R&D Beamline (in planning)

Photon Factory at the dawn of structural biology using synchrotron radiationaHybrid Ring

1 ms x 10 Hz (duty 1%)Gun

The light generated by the accelerator isprocessed by a monochromator andfocusing mirrors, and then guided to theexperimental apparatus (photo: diffraction grating monochromator at BL-2).

BL-17A Macromolecular Crystallography

BL-7A Soft X-ray Spectroscopy [RCS, Univ. Tokyo]（Dump）The development of insertion device
technologies such as undulators has
made it possible to obtain high-brightness, polarization-controlled light (photo:undulator at BL-2).

BL-3A Beamline for X-ray diffraction under extreme condition

BL-3A X-ray Diﬀraction Experiment
Under Extreme Condition

The first in-vacuum undulator (AR-NE3)

Beam transfer between injector and light source accelerator

BLs for VUV and Soft X-ray Spectroscopy

BL-27A Radiation Biology, Soft X-ray Spectroscopy
for Radioactive Samples

electronbeam

Bending magnet : Emits
continuous spectrum of lightover a wide energy range

Undulator : A device consisting of many alternating magneticpoles. Electrons changed their direction by each magnetic pole
generate synchrotron radiation, which interferes with eachother to produce highly-brilliant light.
BL-27B Radiation Biology, XAFS for Radioactive Samples

bendingmagnet

The development of in-vacuum undulators, in which ashort period is achieved by placing alternating dipole
magnets inside the accelerator's vacuum pipe, began at
KEK around 1988, and light was successfully generated
for the first time in December 1990. This technology canturn synchrotron radiation facilities into compact andenergy-saving ones, because short-period undulators cangenerate high energy and intense X-rays even in 3-GeV
class storage ring. The development has led to a trend
towards the construction of synchrotron radiation facilities
installed in-vacuum undulators around the world.

LTR（ Future option: Undulator for XFEL ）aBL-14C Beamline for X-ray
medical imaging

This is the only beamline in the world that has a vertical wiggler as its lightsource, which produces vertically polarized light. Using this unique synchrotron
radiation, an X-ray interferometer with a horizontal configuration, which is notaffected by gravity, has been installed to perform ultra-sensitive, large-field
X-ray phase imaging experiments with the highest performance in the world.

BL-17A Beamline for macromolecular crystallography
The macromolecular crystallography beamlines at the Photon Factory
include BL-1A, which is capable of Native-SAD (structure determination using naturally contained sulfur etc.) using low-energy X-rays, andBL-17A, which is capable of structural analysis of small crystals with asmall beam size. All beamlines are equipped with sample changer,
allowing remote experiments from anywhere in the world.

Contribution to University Education
Photon Factory is used by approximately
3,000 researchers annually. About half ofthese are students, thus playing an important role in the university's research andeducation. About 300 degrees (master anddoctor) by using Photon Factory areawarded annually, bringing the total toabout 6,000 to date.
Photon Factory is used by national universities, public universities, and privateuniversities in a wide variety of research
fields.

Red : National Univ.
Green : Public Univ.
Blue : Private Univ.

©2022 GoogleUniversities in Japan have used Photon Factory

Using the Photon Factory
Photon Factory supports research and development mainly in academic fields.
In particular, we actively support innovative research projects that involve trialand error.
We also offer charged programs that can be used by companies and otherorganizations. Some beamlines offer optional services such as "user support","consulting" and "substitutional measurement and analysis".

Call for Proposal

Degree in the Photon Factory
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies(SOKENDAI) is a graduate university to utilize
the advanced research environment of aninter-university research institute. At PhotonFactory, graduate students at SOKENDAI areconducting research under research guidance.
Several universities, including the University ofTokyo and Hokkaido University, have concluded agreements to cooperate in supervisingstudents.

Tours of the Photon FactoryGroup tours of 10 or more people are accepted. There are also events that are open for everyone
such as KEK Open House and Spring Science & Technology Week.

Support the Photon Factory
The donation program for the Photon Factory’s advanced research will be used
to improve the research environment and promote future plans for the PhotonFactory. We appreciate your warm support for the future of the Photon Factory.

Inter-University Research Institute Corporation

High Energy Accelerator Research Organization

Institute of Materials Structure Science

Oho 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan

Photon Factory

https://www2.kek.jp/imss/pf/eng/

Tel. 029-864-5635（Photon Factory Office）

2023.06