According to the report, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, under the command of the US Department of Energy, has begun emitting X-rays using the recently developed Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL). The project, called LCLS-II, involved an investment of US$ 1.1 billion.
Stanford University’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has been at the forefront of creating and operating scientific instruments for more than sixty years. The original LCLS reached first light in April 2009, marking a milestone for the world’s first XFEL.
Scientists, continue to use many different methods to study and gain a deeper understanding of materials and biological products. The original LCLS used electron acceleration in a copper tube at room temperature, limiting its ability to produce 120 X-ray pulses per second.
More than a decade of work has resulted in improvements to LCLS-II, increasing its speed to 8,000 times its previous performance. It can now produce nearly a million X-ray bursts per second; This exceeds the energy and speed of any X-ray production machine we have ever encountered.
How Does LCLS-II Work?
LCLS-II’s capabilities are enhanced by the use of a superconducting accelerator designed specifically for X-ray emission. The 37-module accelerator is capable of cooling helium to an incredibly low temperature of -456 degrees Fahrenheit (-271 degrees Celsius), just above zero. Operating at such frigid conditions, the accelerator elevates electrons to high-energy states with minimal energy loss, a critical factor in its improved performance.
To broaden the range of experiments and accelerate data collection, the SLAC team has retained the original copper pipe accelerator, which coexists with the new superconducting accelerator. This dual setup allows for versatile data collection across a wide energy spectrum, facilitating more efficient experimentation at the facility.
Moreover, the LCLS-II has introduced two new undulators, known as “soft” and “hard.” These undulators are responsible for generating X-rays from the electron beams, with “soft” producing low-energy X-rays and “hard” generating high-energy X-rays. This dual undulator setup not only enhances precision in experiments but also provides the flexibility to investigate materials and phenomena at varying depths and energy levels.
What Capabilities Does LCLS-II Possess?
LCLS made groundbreaking contributions by facilitating the observation of intricate chemical processes in real-time, allowing us to witness the absorption of sunlight by plants and algae, resulting in oxygen production. Additionally, it offered insights into planetary evolution and the formation of diamond rain through its X-ray capabilities.
With its enhanced setup, LCLS-II is now positioned to tackle even more challenging endeavors previously deemed unattainable. Researchers will gain the capacity to delve deeper into the study of quantum materials, opening doors for the development of more efficient quantum devices, computers, and high-speed data processing, as detailed in the press release.
Furthermore, LCLS-II’s capabilities will empower researchers to capture atomic-scale snapshots of chemical reactions, aiding in the design of more efficient processes across various industries, including chemical production and energy generation, while contributing to greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
LCLS Director Mike Dunne, as mentioned in the press release, anticipates the commencement of experiments in these areas in the upcoming weeks and months, drawing the participation of numerous researchers from both the nation and around the world.
Importantly, DOE facilities such as LCLS offer their services free of charge and select projects based on their potential to impact important research. LCLS-II promises to revolutionize education and business.
Conclusion
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, with support from the US Department of Energy, launched the LCLS-II project, a state-of-the-art technology in X-ray emission, involving an investment of $1.1 billion. This advance spans six years and ushers in a new era of scientific research, leading to the study of quantum information, chemical composition, and the power of fire.
The development of LCLS-II, with its faster and simpler method, is expected to lead to change in many fields and attract researchers from all over the world. This DOE-supported facility will create an incredible gap between science and industry.
