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Photon Science Division

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Photon Science Division (PSD)

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Research into extremely small structures at the molecular and atomic level leads to discoveries which are closely related to material properties as we know them on a larger scale, such as their strength, electrical conductivity or magnetisation. The best material or structure for any particular application will only be found if we understand the relationship between the microscopic and the macroscopic. As a result, there are many and varied uses for this research, e.g. for new types of materials and surfaces, for modern technologies, for biology and medicine, and for the environmentally-acceptable use of energy.

The Paul Scherrer Institut also researches the composition of materials and surface structures for use in fuel cells and innovative types of batteries. In addition, synchrotron light will provide insights into microscopic damage to materials and into the complex structure of bio-molecules which will, for example, make the targeted manufacture of new pharmaceuticals possible.

Objects with dimensions of thousandths of millionths of a meter are known as nanostructures. This minuteness will revolutionise every area of our technological world, whether in information transfer and data storage, or in sensors for biology, medicine and ecology. For example, specialists at PSI are working together on interdisciplinary projects to develop biosensors, artificial noses and optical electronics.


Latest Scientific Highlights and News

Scientific Highlights

27 March 2023
adobe

How football-shaped molecules occur in the universe

Media Releases Research Using Synchrotron Light

An international research team reveals how fullerene is formed in the universe.

Read more
21 February 2023
a star is born

A star is born

Swiss Light Source SLS reveals complex chemistry inside ‘stellar nurseries’

Read more
20 February 2023
Medikamente mit Licht an- und abschalten

Using light to switch drugs on and off

Media Releases Health Innovation

PSI researchers record a molecular film of a cancer drug fitted with a photoswitch. This opens new insights for drug developers.

Read more

News

14 March 2022
Cristallina 1st light

SwissFEL Cristallina "first light" milestone achieved

First X-rays have reached the SwissFEL Cristallina experimental station on 14.03.2021 which is one day ahead of schedule. The achievement of this important milestone marks the beginning of the commissioning phase of the Cristallina project.

Read more
18 January 2021
S-TOMCAT optics hutch has been successfully installed in W1 of 2021

SLS 2.0 approved - TOMCAT 2.0 cleared for takeoff!

In December 2020 the Swiss parliament approved the Swiss Dispatch on Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation (ERI) for 2021 to 2024 which includes funding for the planned SLS 2.0 upgrade. The new machine will lead to significantly increased brightness, thus providing a firm basis for keeping the SLS and its beamlines state-of-the-art for the decades to come. The TOMCAT crew is very excited that the TOMCAT 2.0 plans (deployment of the S- and I-TOMCAT branches, see SLS 2.0 CDR, p. 353ff) have been included in the Phase-I beamline upgrade portfolio. These beamlines will receive first light right after the commissioning of the SLS 2.0 machine around mid 2025. A first milestone towards this goal has just been achieved, with the successful installation of the S-TOMCAT optics hutch during W1 of 2021. The TOMCAT scientific and technical staff would like to thank Mr. Nolte and his Innospec crew for delivering perfectly on schedule. 

Read more
24 November 2020
Gianluca Iori at TOMCAT.

BEATS beamline scientist from SESAME synchrotron trains at TOMCAT

TOMCAT welcomes Gianluca Iori, beamline scientist from BEATS - the new beamline for tomography at the SESAME synchrotron in Jordan, to a 3-month training on beamline operations. Gianluca’s visit is part of the Staff Training (BEATS Work Package 2) organized for BEATS scientific staff and SESAME control engineers. BEATS is a European project, funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and coordinated by the ESRF.

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Contact

Photon Science Division
Paul Scherrer Institut
WSLA/116
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland

Head of Division
Prof. Dr. Gabriel Aeppli
Telephone: +41 56 310 4232
E-mail: gabriel.aeppli@psi.ch


Group Leader
PSD Administration
Elizabeth Bianchi
Telephone: +41 56 310 4377
E-mail: elizabeth.bianchi@psi.ch
E-mail: psd-admin@psi.ch


Assistant Photon Science Division
Jessica Suberg
Telephone: +41 56 310 2346
E-mail: jessica.suberg@psi.ch
E-mail: psd-admin@psi.ch

Laboratories

Macromolecules and Bioimaging (LSB)
X-ray Nanoscience and Technologies (LXN)
Condensed Matter (LSC)
Femtochemistry (LSF)
Advanced Spectroscopy and X-ray Sources (LSX)
Non-linear Optics (LNO)
Nano and Quantum Technologies (LNQ)

Facilities

SwissFEL
Swiss Light Source - SLS
Cleanrooms
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Paul Scherrer Institut

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5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland

Telephone: +41 56 310 21 11
Telefax: +41 56 310 21 99

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