[en] Practically all synchrotron x-ray sources to data are based on the use of storage rings to produce the high current electron (or positron) beams needed for synchrotron radiation (SR). The ultimate limitations on the quality of the electron beam, which are directly reflected in many of the most important characteristics of the SR beams, arise from the physics of equilibrium processes fundamental to the operation of storage rings. It is possible to produce electron beams with superior characteristics for SR via photoinjected electron sources and high-energy linacs; however, the energy consumption of such machines is prohibitive. This limitation can be overcome by the use of an energy recovery linac (ERL), which involves configuring the electron-beam path to use the same superconducting linac as a decelerator of the electron beam after SR production, thereby recovering the beam energy for acceleration of new electrons. ERLs have the potential to produce SR beams with brilliance, coherence , time structure, and source size and shape which are superior to even the best third-generation storage ring sources, while maintaining flexible machine operation and competitive costs. Here, we describe a project to produce a hard x-ray ERL SR source at Cornell University, with emphasis on the characteristics, promise, and challenges of such an ERL machine

[en] Cornell University, in collaboration with Jefferson Lab, has proposed a novel X-ray source based on the energy recovery linac (ERL) concept [1, 2]. Such a source will exceed the brightness of third generation synchrotron light facilities and will also allow ultra short X-ray pulses and variable pulse formats, to enhance existing, and promote new applications in X-ray science

[en] Synchrotron radiation (SR) has become an essential and rapidly growing tool across the sciences and engineering. World-wide, about 70 SR sources are in various stages of operation, construction, or planning, representing a cumulative investment on many billions of dollars and serving a growing research community well in excess of 10,000 scientists. To date, all major SR x-ray facilities are based on electron (or positron) storage rings. Given the expected continued growth, importance and expense of SR sources, it is important to ask if there are alternatives to the storage ring SR source which offer advantages of capability or cost. A step in this direction is being taken by the SR community with the proposed developments of linac-based x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) utilizing the self-amplified spontaneous emission process (SASE). However, the versatility of modern developments in accelerator physics, as applied to synchrotron radiation, is not limited to storage rings or XFELs. New developments in laser driven photoinjectors and superconducting linac technology open new and exciting possibilities for novel SR-generating machines which offer extraordinary capabilities and promise to catalyze whole new areas of SR-based science