PHYS 570
Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation
Spring 2026 Syllabus

Instructor: Carlo Segre segre [at] illinoistech.edu
166d/172 Pritzker Science Center 312.567.3498
Meetings: Tuesday & Thursday 11:25-12:40, 032 Rettaliata Engineering
Office hours:   Tuesday 15:30-16:30 & Thursday 14:00-15:00 or by appointment
URL: http://csrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys570/26S/
Textbooks: Elements of Modern X-Ray Physics, Second Edition, Jen Als-Nielsen and Des McMorrow, (John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2011).
X-Ray Data Booklet (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2009) - http://xdb.lbl.gov/xdb-new.pdf
Objectives:
  • Understand the means of production of synchrotron x-ray radiation.
  • Understand the function of various components of a synchrotron beamline.
  • Be able to perform calculations in support of a synchrotron experiment.
  • Understand the physics behind a variety of experimental techniques.
  • Be able to make an oral presentation of a synchrotron radiation research topic.
  • Be able to write a General User Proposal in the format used by the Advanced Photon Source
Material:
  • X-ray and their interaction with matter
  • Sources of x-rays
  • Refraction and reflection from interfaces
  • Kinematical Diffraction
  • Diffraction by perfect crystals
  • Photoelectric absorption
  • Resonant scattering
  • Small angle scattering (not in book)
  • Other topics as appropriate
Grading: Grading for this course will be based on homework assignments (33%), student presentations (33%) and project (33%).
Project: You will be required to write a General User Proposal to the Advanced Photon Source. This tutorial describes the process of submitting a proposal. The topic of your proposal should be different than the topic of your presentation and must be approved beforehand by the instructor.
Presentation: The final examination will consist of a 20 minute presentation (15 minutes of talk plus 5 minutes for questions). Your presentation will be based on a journal article and must be approved in advance by the instructor. The topic must be different than that of your General User Proposal project.
Academic Honesty Policy: All students are expected to adhere to the IIT Code of Academic Honesty. The first violation will result in a grade of "zero" for that assignment (exam or quiz). Subsequent violations will result in a failing grade in the course.
Accomodation for Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented disabilities. In order to receive accommodations, students must obtain a letter of accommodation from the Center for Disability Resources in 3424 S. State Street, Suite 1C3-2, 312-567-5744 or disabilities@illinoistech.edu.
Important Dates:
  • Jan 20 - Last Day to Add Courses, Change Sections, etc.
  • Mar 30 - Last Day for Official Withdrawal

Schedule

Week Date Lecture Notes Reading Assignment Homework Due
1 Jan 13 Lecture #01  
Jan 15 Lecture #02 Chapter 1.1-1.6
2 Jan 20 Lecture #03 Chapter 2.1-2.2
Jan 22 Lecture #04 Chapter 2.3-2.4
3 Jan 27 Lecture #05 Chapter 2.5-2.6
Jan 29 Lecture #06 Chapter 3.1-3.3 HW #1 - Chapter 2: 2,3,5,6,8
4 Feb 03 Lecture #07 Chapter 3.4-3.6
Feb 05 Lecture #08 Chapter 3.7-3.8
5 Feb 10 Lecture #09 Chapter 3.9-3.10
Feb 12 Lecture #10 Chapter 4.1-4.2  
6 Feb 17 Lecture #11 Chapter 4.3-4.4 HW #2
Feb 19 Lecture #12 Chapter 4.5; 5.1
7 Feb 24 Lecture #13 Chapter 5.2-5.3
Feb 26 Lecture #14 Chapter 5.4 HW #3 - Chapter 3: 1,3,4,6,8
8 Mar 03 Lecture #15 Chapter 5.5-5.6
Mar 05 Lecture #16 Chapter 6.1-6.2
9 Mar 10 Lecture #17 Chapter 6.3-6.4
Mar 12 Lecture #18 Chapter 6.5; 7.1 HW #4: Chapter 4: 2,4,6,7,10
Chapter Mar 17 Spring Break - No Classes!
Mar 19
10 Mar 24 Lecture #19 Chapter 7.2-7.3
Mar 26 Lecture #20 Chapter 7.4
11 Mar 31 Lecture #21 Chapter 8.1-8.3
Apr 02 Lecture #22 Chapter 8.4 HW #5 - Chapter 5: 1,3,7,9,10
12 Apr 07 Lecture #23 Chapter 8.5-8.7
Apr 09 Lecture #24 Chapter 9.1-9.3
13 Apr 14 Lecture #25 Chapter 9.4-9.5 HW #6 - Chapter 6: 1,6,7,8,9
Apr 16 Lecture #26  
14 Apr 21 Lecture #27  
Apr 23 Lecture #28   HW #7 - Chapter 7: 2,3,9,10,11
15 Apr 28 Lecture #29    
Apr 30 Lecture #30   HW #8 -
16 May ?? Final Exam - Synchrotron Research Symposium
May 09 GU Proposal Project Due