SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory , managed by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ( DOE ) Office of Science, has launched LCLS-II, the world’s most powerful X-ray laser. This upgrade of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a landmark event in scientific research, offering unprecedented capabilities in the exploration of phenomena at the atomic and ultrafast scale.
A breakthrough for superconducting accelerators
The LCLS-II generates up to a million X-ray pulses per second, which is 8,000 times more than its predecessor, the original LCLS , and is 10,000 times brighter on average. This X-ray free-electron laser ( XFEL ) will allow scientists to observe natural processes that occur on extremely short timescales, such as chemical reactions, the dynamics of quantum materials, and biological functions.
“This achievement marks the culmination of more than a decade of work,” said Greg Hays, LCLS-II project manager. “It demonstrates that all the different elements of LCLS-II are working in harmony to produce X-ray laser light in a completely new mode of operation.”
Greg Hays, LCLS-II project manager.
The LCLS-II upgrade opens up a new era of scientific discovery. For example, researchers will be able to observe the behavior of quantum elements on their natural timescales, which could be essential for developing more efficient quantum computing devices and energy technologies . In biology, the laser will make it possible to study with great precision how molecules perform vital functions, facilitating the design of new medicines.
The world’s most powerful X-ray laser technology
The LCLS-II laser is equipped with a superconducting accelerator that operates at temperatures of -456 degrees Fahrenheit, making it one of the coldest systems in the universe, even colder than outer space.
This accelerator manages to almost completely minimize energy loss, and was developed in collaboration with laboratories such as Fermilab and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Center , and is the key piece behind the increase in the frequency and brightness of the X-ray pulses.
The superconducting accelerator operates in parallel with the copper accelerator of the original LCLS, allowing researchers to cover a wider range of energies. This translates into the ability to study fast processes and delicate samples in greater detail, expanding the number of experiments that can be performed.
Important global collaborations
The success of LCLS-II is the result of a global collaboration involving thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians from across DOE, as well as international partners. In all, five U.S. national laboratories, along with institutions such as Cornell University, contributed to the development of key components.
Among these, the main undulators stand out. These devices allow the generation of X-rays from the electron beam, and were developed with the support of the Lawrence Berkeley and Argonne laboratories.
DOE Office of Science Director Asmeret Asefaw Berhe said LCLS-II will strengthen U.S. scientific leadership and have a direct impact on priority areas such as clean energy, national security and quantum information science.
A promising future in X-ray science
Since the original LCLS began operating in 2009, X-ray science has been instrumental in numerous studies that have led to understanding how plants and algae convert sunlight into oxygen. With LCLS-II’s ability to generate much faster and brighter pulses of X-rays, scientists will be able to obtain ” molecular movies ” of real-time processes, from the movement of electrons in a chemical reaction to photosynthesis.
In addition, the LCLS-II laser will allow researchers to observe extreme phenomena such as planetary evolution and biological processes that were previously impossible to capture due to the speed at which they occur and manifest themselves in the environment.
SLAC acting director Stephen Streiffer said the laser will transform the study of the smallest and fastest-moving phenomena in the universe. “ It allows us to explore new horizons in disciplines such as biology, materials science, and quantum physics ,” he said. In the coming months, researchers around the world will begin using the capabilities of LCLS-II in a series of experiments that will transform diverse areas of science.
LCLS-II is part of SLAC’s more than 60-year legacy of creating and operating powerful scientific tools. Throughout its history, SLAC has played a crucial role in the discovery of fundamental particles, the study of molecular structures, and the innovation of accelerator technologies.
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Source and photo: SLAC
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