Elettra is an international multisciplinary laboratory specialized in synchrotron radiation and its use in the science of matter. It is located in Basovizza on the outskirts of Trieste and is operated by Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. as a user facility. The laboratory features a 2.4 GeV, third-generation synchrotron radiation source, also named Elettra, and a fourth-generation light source based on a free-electron laser, FERMI@Elettra, currently under construction and that will be coming online in 2009.

The mission of Sincrotrone Trieste through its Elettra Laboratory is to promote cultural, social and economic growth through basic and applied research in relevant fields, technical and scientific training, and technology transfer. Its accompanying vision is to lead by providing a platform for internationally recognized research and enhance the impact and relevance of science for society.

Thousands of national and international users from academic institutions, research establishments, and industrial concerns access every year the Elettra storage ring, which is optimised for the VUV and soft-X-ray range, operates between 2.0 and 2.4 GeV, and feeds over 24 beamlines and the related experimental stations. Photon energies from few eV to tens of keV and wavelengths from the infrared to X-rays are made available for many different and complementary experimental techniques, ranging from analytical microscopy and microradiography to photolithography.

The spectral brightness available on most beamlines is up to 10¹⁹ photons/s/mm²/mrad²/0.1%bw and the peak brightness of the FERMI@Elettra source is expected to go up to 10³⁰ photons/s/mm²/mrad²/0.1%bw. A number of support laboratories help users to prepare their experiments and their material samples for best results.

ELETTRA hosts a theory and simulation program (Theory@Elettra), managed in collaboration with the CNR INFM Democritos national simulation center. This program aims at providing theoretical and simulation support to the users, as well as to develop new simulation techniques, particularly in the field of advanced spectroscopies.

The total operating time of the facility is currently about 5000 hours/year, providing about 105000 hours of user time on the individual experimental stations. The beamlines and laboratories are open to international scientists through a peer-review access system for basic and applied research in biology, physics, chemistry, materials sciences, medicine, cultural heritage and environmental studies.