Status of the Metrology Light Source

The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) has set up the low-energy electron storage ring Metrology Light Source (MLS) in close cooperation with BESSY. This new storage ring is mainly dedicated to synchrotron-radiation-based metrology and technological developments in the IR, UV, VUV and EUV spectral range. Operated in a special low-α mode for the generation of short electron bunches, the MLS will deliver coherent radiation in the far-IR/THz spectral range with enhanced intensity as compared to the normal mode of operation. The MLS can be operated as a primary source standard with parameters optimized for the respective calibration tasks. The electron energy can be tuned to any value from 200 up to 600 MeV and the electron beam can be adjusted in the range from one stored electron (1 pA) up to 200 mA. The 100 MeV injection microtron has been commissioned successfully, the installation of the storage ring was completed and its commissioning started in April 2007. Two beamlines for the use of IR radiation, a white light bending magnet beamline and a diagnostics front-end are under commissioning.