A synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that generates intense beams of light, known as synchrotron radiation. This radiation is produced when charged particles, like electrons, are accelerated to nearly the speed of light and forced to travel in circular paths. The resulting light is extremely bright and covers a wide range of wavelengths, from infrared to X-rays, making it useful for various scientific applications. Researchers use synchrotron radiation in fields such as materials science, biology, and chemistry to study the structure and properties of different materials at the atomic level. By analyzing how this light interacts with samples, scientists can gain valuable insights into everything from drug development to nanotechnology.