THE PURSUIT OF BRILLIANCE - HOW AND FOR WHAT

Third generation synchrotron radiation sources are already under construction in several countries. As the logarithmic graph paper on which their main perceived attribute brilliance is displayed grows ever taller, it is useful to review in broad perspective the next steps. Interestingly, the nature of the scientific case for improved power and brilliance has not changed over three generations of synchrotron radiation sources and the needs of the scientific community will not be entirely satisfied even by the third generation sources.