QHS Sixth Form students were some of the lucky ballot winners given the opportunity to visit the amazing Diamond Light on Wednesday 4th June.  

Rosie, Dylan, Tom and Jasper were given a 45 minute introduction to the facility that produces high intensity beams of X-ray radiation by accelerating electron around a synchrotron. The machine accelerates electrons to near light speeds so that they give off 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. 

Students were then taken on a guided tour around the different beamline areas to see the kind of research being done by different teams of scientists. The yellow marking on the concrete (as shown by our students!) shows the path of the electron beam, while the red and green metal boxes show the magnets used to steer the beam in a circular path – lots of exciting coils of wires and high vacuum pipes with cooling systems!

Our students were able to speak to different research teams, including one group that used laser to suspend microscopic pollution particle between laser beams, while another X-ray beam scanned across it to reveal its structure and composition. Another group used the X-ray beams to analyse metal surfaces using the Photoelectric effect. All this reinforced ideas covered in our year 12 Physics lessons and leads us nicely into the Field and their Effect module studied in year 13. What a way for Dylan to spend his birthday!