IRIS THz/Infrared Dipole Beamline
At synchrotron light sources of the second and third generation the emitted radiation in the infrared wavelength region is some orders of magnitude brighter than standard thermal broadband sources (e.g., globar). Infrared synchrotron radiation is an absolute source being polarized and pulsed in the picosecond timescale. As a particular speciality, BESSY II offers a new technique to generate high power, stabile and low-noise Coherent Terahertz (THz) Radiation.
The IRIS Beamline at BESSY was inaugurated in December 2001. The large acceptance beamline offering broadband infrared radiation from the THz to the NIR is equipped with several end-stations: e.g., a Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer (Bruker 66/v), an infrared microscope (Thermo Nicolet Continuµm NexusTM) and a mid infrared mapping ellipsometer (developed at ISAS Berlin). In addition, a free beam port is applicable for breadboarding experiments.
Beamline Performance
Comparison of the intensity (height of the center bursts in the interferogramm) and the noise (100 % lines) of the infrared synchrotron radiation at IRIS with a conventional source (globar) for different apertures in the microscope.
Comparison of the coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) in the 'low alpha' mode with the conventional synchrotron radiation and the radiation from a Globar in the THz spectral range.
THz/IR-spectroscopy and -microscopy
With the unique characteristics of the infrared synchrotron radiation source from the mid to the far infrared and THz spectral range, new and exciting experiments in material and life sciences are now possible.
The end-stations at IRIS can be used for spectroscopic investigations of biological systems (cells, tissues, fibres), for microscopy of same and for the investigations on the structural and functional interactions of proteins. In addition, vibrational, structural and electronic properties of liquids, solids, surfaces and thin layers can be studied. This allows to address scientific problems in the fields cultural heritages and noval materials. For example, the high brilliance in the THz spectral range is used to study the optical conductivity at low temperatures of small-sized and unique single crystalline samples of novel materials, e.g. high-Tc superconductors.
IRIS Beamline and Endstations