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Accelerate progress
The X-ray light source PETRA IV is being built at DESY in Hamburg. The new facility offers unique analysis possibilities worldwide and zooms deep into materials of all kinds.
Scientists from all over the world will conduct their experiments at PETRA IV, which are only possible at this facility globally. A fundamentally new view of the world around us is emerging. This will lead to a new quality of approaches to solving society's pressing questions.
PETRA IV will enable improved methods for studying complex processes in nature and technology in real time and under realistic operating conditions.
![Visual representation of the bundled X-ray beam of PETRA IV, which is juxtaposed with three samples in a size ratio ranging from millimetres to micrometres to nanometres. The arrangement of the samples makes it clear that the same sample can be X-rayed at different levels at the same time. Visual representation of the bundled X-ray beam of PETRA IV, which is juxtaposed with three samples in a size ratio ranging from millimetres to micrometres to nanometres. The arrangement of the samples makes it clear that the same sample can be X-rayed at different levels at the same time.](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3180/e9254/e3205/petra4KeyFacts820px_ger.jpg)
For the first time, researchers will then be able to illuminate individual objects on the nanometre scale and record the structure, energetics and function of molecular units in materials and cells under realistic conditions. PETRA IV can thus contribute to the development of materials and technologies of the future. This promises new perspectives for basic research and high technology.
“PETRA IV will revolutionise X-ray imaging. For the first time, natural phenomena in the nanocosmos can be recorded live and non-destructively.”
![Portrait of Helmut Dosch Portrait of Helmut Dosch](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3180/e9254/e3206/Dosch350x350portrait-quote_eng.jpg)
Enabling innovative technologies
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Materials for sustainable batteries
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High-efficiency catalysts for producing hydrogen
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Tailor-made materials for quantum technologies
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Development of new drugs
“PETRA IV will be the world’s best fourth-generation synchrotron radiation source.”
![Portrait of Harald Reichert Portrait of Harald Reichert](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3180/e9254/e4369/Reichert-350x350-portrait-quote_eng.jpg)
Harald Reichert, physicist and former research director of the European Synchrotron Radiation Source (ESRF), has taken on the role of PETRA IV project manager at DESY. The conversion of PETRA III into a fourth-generation X-ray light source is being carried out with him and with Riccardo Bartolini, the project manager for the PETRA IV accelerator. Together, Reichert and DESY scientist Bartolini tackle the technically challenging task.
“PETRA IV will be the world-leading machine with an emittance smaller by a factor of two compared to the next generation projects.”
![Portrait of Riccardo Bartolini Portrait of Riccardo Bartolini](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3180/e9254/e6684/Bartolini_350x350-portrait-quote_eng.jpg)
Due to its circumference in excess of two kilometers, PETRA IV will have advantages in terms of so-called emittance. This physical quantity is the product of the cross-section and divergence of the particle bunches in an accelerator and is a measure of how strongly the generated X-rays can be focussed.
Research campus of the future
DESY’s research infrastructure already offers unique opportunities for investigation and experimentation to achieve advances in innovation, technology and medicine. Numerous university institutes and research facilities have settled on the campus. In addition, further new facilities, centres and research buildings are to be built around the DESY campus by 2040.
PETRA IV will be a central large-scale research facility in the future Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld.
Accelerating careers
Some 3000 DESY employees work at DESY in a wide variety of occupations. Even now, DESY offers a large number of challenging scientific and non-scientific positions with very good career opportunities in connection with implementing the large-scale PETRA IV project. Please feel free to apply online.
![Description of campus life at DESY Description of campus life at DESY](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3180/e9254/e3211/2017-06-21_Motiv_04_Kennbild_Karriere__900px_ger.jpg)
![Portrait of Heidrun Hillen](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3180/e9254/e4478/Hillen350x350portrait-quote_ger.jpg)
Heidrun Hillen
I am happy to answer your questions about PETRA IV.
Further research topics
![THE ALT-TAG in ENGLISH THE ALT-TAG in ENGLISH](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3326/e3330/e_teaser_image/Teaser-640x360-Gesundheit-Proben_ger.jpg)
Healthcare
How can diseases be better tackled?
![Earth moves around the sun in the universe. Earth moves around the sun in the universe.](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3326/e3337/e_teaser_image/Teaser-640x360-Ressourcen_ger.jpg)
New materials
How can we save resources?
![Testing of sustainable materials. Testing of sustainable materials.](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3326/e3345/e_teaser_image/Teaser-640x360-NachhaltigeMaterialien_ger.jpg)
Energy
How can we make more resilient materials?
![Image of a huge server room. Image of a huge server room.](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3326/e3352/e_teaser_image/Teaser-640x360-NeueTechnologien-Server_ger.jpg)
New technologies
What do we need for the digital world of tomorrow?
![Icebergs in the arctic sea. Icebergs in the arctic sea.](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3326/e3358/e_teaser_image/Teaser-640x360-ErdeUmwelt-Eisberg_ger.jpg)
Earth and the environment
How do we preserve our ecosystems?
![Cultural heritage: Making over painted pictures visible again. Cultural heritage: Making over painted pictures visible again.](/sites/desy/microsites/petra-4/content/e3326/e3370/e_teaser_image/Kulturelles_Erbe_640x360teaser-card_ger.jpg)
Cultural heritage
How can we preserve our cultural treasures?