FECYT visits the synchrotron ALBA for its fifth anniversary

The ALBA synchrotron, one of the most important scientific infrastructures in the Mediterranean, celebrated last March its birthday. This complex with 270 meters perimeter and located near to Barcelona, ​​allows since 2011 to study the atomic structure and properties of matter thanks to its special ability to accelerate electrons almost up to the speed of light.

The ALBA synchrotron hosts researchers from Spanish institutions (65%), but also from other countries (35%), mainly from the areas of life sciences, condensed matter (nanoscience and magnetic and electronic properties) and material science (for instance, for the study of industrial cements).

The science coordinator of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) in Germany, Guillermo Orts, visited ALBA and its so-called CIRCE beamline, led by Lucia Aballe. This beamline is one of the seven lines currently operating at ALBA and it has the peculiarity of having two experimental stations of great scientific interest, and NAPP PEEM calls, available in very few laboratories in the world. Moreover, the working group at CIRCE beamline represents a good example of scientific and technological enrichment between Spain and Germany, not only by having the German researcher Michael Foerster in their ranks, but also because some of the technological components of the stations have been developed by the Berlin-based company SPECS.

Video fifth anniversary ALBA

The ALBA synchrotron, managed by the Consortium CELLS and equally funded by the Spanish and Catalan Governments, is a good example of an infrastructure of scientific excellence and improvement and progress of society.