The light sources in lightsources.org are accelerator-based sources of exceptionally intense, tightly focused beams of x rays and ultraviolet radiation, as well as infrared, that make possible both basic and applied research in fields from physics to biology to technology that are not possible with more conventional equipment.
Speaking broadly, light refers to the electromagnetic (light) spectrum. The human eye can see visible light, only a small part of this vast spectrum, which also includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, x rays, and gamma rays. Those wavelengths of the light spectrum not visible to the human eye are also useful in everyday life. For example, microwave ovens use microwaves to cook your food; a TV remote control uses infrared light to adjust the volume or change the channel of the TV; tanning lamps use ultraviolet light to bronze the skin; and airport scanners use x rays to inspect luggage.
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