Infrared synchrotron radiation: from the production to the spectroscopic and microscopic applications

This study reviews the various mechanisms exploited to produce infrared syn chrotron radiation (IRSR). It shows that at long wavelengths (long when com pared to the critical wavelength of the bending magnet in an electron stora ge ring), the radiation emitted from a bending magnet edge can be brighter than standard synchrotron radiation. For this purpose, we will discuss the various IRSR sources, namely the bending magnets, the wigglers, the undulat or and the bending magnet edges. We will then briefly review a high-resolut ion study of isolated molecules in the far infrared, the detection of a ver y narrow Drude term in a high-T-c superconductor, a description of ultra-hi gh pressure experiments, an investigation of water encapsulated in non-ioni c reverse micelles, and finally, a brief review of spatially resolved studi es. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.