Synchrotron radiation research at Moscow State University

Abstract

SR research in MSU was connected with the investigation of the physical properties of SR on the basis of classical and quantum electrodynamics. The theoretically predicted synchrotron radiation (Ivanenko and Pomeranchouk) was discovered recently experimentally. Basic properties of SR, studied in the set of experiments (Kulikov et al.) showed excellent agreement with theory. The experiments confirmed predicted spectral and polarisation properties of SR. The first exact expression for SR intensity, including quantum corrections, was found in 1952 (Sokolov et al.). The other interesting feature of SR, the strong influence of the quantum fluctuation character of the radiation on the motion of electrons, was predicted in theoretical work too. A new phenomenon, the electron spin selfpolarisation effect, was discovered theoretically and was observed recently experimentally (ACO, Orsay; VEPP, Novosibirsk). The last period in SR studies is the time of the application of SR to many regions of science. Optical properties of solids is the subject of intensive studies by the MSU SR laboratory. The most interesting results of this laboratory are connected with VUV luminescence and VUV excitation of crystals.