Newly Upgraded Particle Accelerator at SLAC Produces First X-rays, Unleashing New Era of Scientific Discovery
The Department of Energy’s Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) has achieved a major milestone with the production of its first X-rays using the newly upgraded particle accelerator, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS)-II. This groundbreaking upgrade allows the accelerator to emit up to a million X-ray pulses per second, a staggering 8,000 times more than its predecessor. Moreover, the beam is now 10,000 times brighter, enabling researchers to delve into previously unexplored territories of scientific investigation.
The enhanced capabilities of LCLS-II promise to revolutionize research in a range of fields. It is expected to shed new light on atomic-scale, ultrafast phenomena, benefiting areas such as quantum computing, communications, clean energy, and medicine. By providing unprecedented resolution, scientists will be able to examine intricate details of quantum materials and explore new frontiers in the development of quantum computing. The accelerator will also play a pivotal role in unraveling unpredictable and fleeting chemical events, facilitating advancements in clean energy technologies.
Cooling plays a crucial role in the accelerator’s powerful upgrade. The original LCLS, launched in 2009, was limited to 120 pulses per second due to constraints posed by room-temperature copper pipes through which electrons traveled. However, LCLS-II incorporates 37 cryogenic modules that can maintain temperatures as low as negative 456 degrees Fahrenheit, even colder than outer space. This remarkable cooling capability allows the accelerator to boost electrons to high energies with minimal energy loss. The upgraded accelerator will operate in tandem with the existing copper one, expanding the facility’s capacity for scientific exploration.
SLAC researchers anticipate that the cutting-edge technology afforded by LCLS-II will enable the study of biological molecules on an unprecedented scale, paving the way for the development of new pharmaceuticals. Additionally, they expect that its unmatched rate of 8,000 flashes per second will unlock entirely new realms of scientific inquiry, fostering further breakthroughs and discoveries.
The path to this landmark achievement began in 2010 when SLAC researchers first conceived of expanding the capabilities of the original LCLS. The project, involving extensive collaboration with thousands of scientists, engineers, and technicians across the Department of Energy and various institutional partners, has required a staggering $1.1 billion investment. The upgrade relied on state-of-the-art components such as a new electron source, two cryoplants to generate refrigerant, and two new undulators responsible for generating the X-rays.
Multiple institutions have contributed to the development of LCLS-II, including renowned US national labs like Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, as well as Cornell University. With experiments set to commence in the coming weeks and months, researchers from across the nation and around the world are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to leverage the capabilities of LCLS-II for their investigations.
LCLS Director Mike Dunne expressed his excitement for what lies ahead, stating, “DOE user facilities such as LCLS are provided at no cost to the users — we select on the basis of the most important and impactful science. LCLS-II is going to drive a revolution across many academic and industrial sectors. I look forward to the onslaught of new ideas — this is the essence of why national labs exist.”
The successful production of X-rays using the upgraded LCLS marks an extraordinary achievement and signifies a new chapter in scientific exploration. With its enhanced capabilities, this particle accelerator will undoubtedly pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in various fields of study.