What are particle accelerators used for outside physics, according to In Our Time's panel?

Harry Cliff says only a small number of the world's tens of thousands of accelerators do fundamental physics; most treat cancer in hospitals, help make computer chips or even detect art forgeries. Joseph Martin explains that retired research machines are often turned into synchrotron light sources, using the X-rays and ultraviolet light that curving particles give off for scattering experiments across many fields, with up to 50 experimental stations on one machine.

• Martin links the technique to structural biology, where X-ray work by Rosalind Franklin revealed DNA's structure.
• The same light can reveal underpainting on a painting or test whether an old violin is safe to play, without damaging either.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on In Our Time (2026-10-22). Read the whole episode summary →

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