Key technologies in synchrotron radiation beamline are described with examples of x-ray beamlines of 8-GeV electron storage ring SPring-8. Typical components at a front-end and a transport channel are shown for understanding of their functions to tailor the SR x-rays for various applications. A total reflection mirror and a crystal monochromator are shown as major optics in the x-ray beamline as well as components such as beam shutter, slit, and windows.

A compact electron diffractometer with a laser-driven photocathode gun generates probe electron pulses with 3 MeV in energy, temporal width less than 100 fs, and more than 1×10⁷ electrons per pulse. A single-shot transmission electron diffraction from Si single crystals has been detected with high quality and excellent signal-to-noise ratio. Energy spread and emittance characteristics of the diffractometer have been evaluated. The ultimate characteristics provides sound basis for future construction of time-resolved electron microscopes with fs-temporal resolution.

We are now constructing an experimental system for electron scattering of short-lived unstable nuclei using a novel target forming technology SCRIT at the Nishina Center for Accelerator Based Science in RIKEN. In this paper, we present the construction and the commissioning of the electron accelerators, and status of the preparations for the world’s first electron scattering experiment for unstable nuclei is reported.

An ultra-compact 990 keV electron accelerator―called the “laptop accelerator”―that is only about the size of a human palm, with an external diameter of 150 mm and a weight of 10 kg has been developed. The device can emit an X-ray beam with a diameter of 10 μm. Expected applications are in non-destructive tests and diagnostic devices.

As the third injector of the RIKEN Ring Cyclotron (RRC), RILAC2 has been constructed in order to increase the beam intensity of uranium beam at the RIKEN RI beam factory. The RILAC2 consists of a superconducting ECR ion source (SCECRIS) with an operational frequency of 28 GHz and the linac system (RFQ followed by three drift-tube linacs, DTL1, DTL2 and DTL3). The installation of DTL1, DTL2 and DTL3 started in February 2010 next to the AVF injector site. The SCECRIS, after tested in RILAC pre-injector of high voltage terminal, was installed in newly constructed small building outside of Nishina memorial building. The RFQ were installed in the spring 2010 after its operation frequency was slightly changed. The construction of beam lines (LEBT and HEBT) followed it. The construction will soon finish and the beam commissioning with a Xe beam will start at the end of 2010. It is expected that beam intensity of uranium beam will be improved much in the autumn 2011.

The 19^th International Conference on Cyclotrons and their Applications was held in Lanzhou, China from September 6 to September 10, 2010. The overview of the conference is reported.

The International Workshop on Linear Collider 2010 - IWLC2010 - was held from October 18 through October 22 of 2010 at Geneva. A brief overview of this meeting is reported.