Diamond Light Source

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s synchrotron. It works like a giant microscope, harnessing the power of electrons to produce bright light that scientists can use to study anything from fossils to jet engines to viruses and vaccines.

The machine speeds up electrons to near light speeds so that they give off a light 10 billion times brighter than the sun. These bright beams are then directed off into laboratories known as ‘beamlines’. Here, scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.

Whether it’s fragments of ancient paintings or unknown virus structures, at the synchrotron, scientists can study their samples using a machine that is 10,000 times more powerful than a traditional microscope.

Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.

Visit Us

The next Inside Diamond open day will feature an introduction to Diamond, a tour of the machine and a chance to meet and talk to our scientist and engineers. We expect the visit will last around two and a half hours. 

Visitors see the biggest laser in Europe, displays about the UK’s involvement in space explorations, exciting experiments with powerful X-rays and neutrons, supercomputing and much more.

There are events throughout the year and booking opens 6-8 weeks in advance of the event. Click here for more details.