In Germany earned the world’s largest x-ray laser

The development of this device that cost more than € 1 billion.

In Hamburg (Germany) on Friday, September 1, began working the world’s largest x-ray laser European XFEL (European X-ray free-electron laser).

It is the world’s most powerful x-ray source. Its construction began in 2009.

As the BBC reports, with this laser, scientists will be able to explore molecules, cells and viruses. In the tunnel with a length of 3.4 kilometres long, scientists will be able to get x-rays, which will allow to study the molecular structure of viruses and cells, to obtain three-dimensional images of nanostructures, and to study the processes occurring in the depths of the planet.

Scientists expect that with the new laser will be able to make new fundamental discoveries, including in the field of medicine.

His research unique properties of the laser becomes due to electrons accelerated to very high speeds. The laser has a superconducting linear particle accelerator which will accelerate them to an energy of 17.5 GeV (GeV). After acceleration to such high energy electrons are sent through a special magnetic system — undulatory. The particles emit radiation, which gradually increases to a very short and intense x-ray flares. The laser can generate 27 thousand pulses per second. The first experiments with the new laser is scheduled for mid-September.

Project cost 1.2 billion euros. The participation of eleven countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and others.

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