The recently upgraded particle accelerator at the DoE’s Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) has achieved a major milestone by producing its first X-rays. The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) upgrade, known as LCLS-II, has the capability to emit up to a million X-ray pulses per second, which is 8,000 times more than the original accelerator. Furthermore, the new accelerator emits an almost continuous beam that is 10,000 times brighter than its predecessor. This significant enhancement in capabilities is expected to facilitate groundbreaking research into atomic-scale, ultrafast phenomena and contribute to advancements in quantum computing, communications, clean energy, and medicine.
The key to the powerful upgrade of the accelerator lies in its cooling abilities. The original LCLS, which was launched in 2009, was limited to 120 pulses per second due to the constraints of the accelerator’s room-temperature copper pipes. However, the upgraded version includes 37 cryogenic modules cooled to an astonishingly low temperature of negative 456 degrees Fahrenheit, which is colder than outer space. This enables the accelerator to boost electrons to high energies with minimal energy loss. The new accelerator will work in parallel with the existing copper one, further expanding its capabilities.
Researchers at SLAC believe that the upgraded accelerator will revolutionize scientific exploration in multiple areas. The unprecedented resolution provided by LCLS-II will enable scientists to examine quantum materials in intricate detail, paving the way for advancements in quantum computing. Additionally, the accelerator’s capabilities will allow researchers to observe and understand fleeting chemical events, which can aid in the development of clean energy technologies. The large number of X-ray pulses per second will also facilitate the study of biological molecules on an unprecedented scale, potentially leading to the development of new pharmaceuticals.
The development of the upgraded accelerator has been a collaborative effort involving thousands of scientists, engineers, and technicians from the Department of Energy (DOE) and various partner institutions. The project has required substantial investments, amounting to $1.1 billion. Several cutting-edge components were incorporated, including a new electron source, cryoplants for refrigerant production, and undulators for X-ray generation. Contributions from five US national labs, such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, as well as Cornell University, have been instrumental in the realization of this project.
According to LCLS Director Mike Dunne, experiments in various fields are set to commence in the near future, attracting researchers from around the world. He emphasizes that DOE user facilities like LCLS are provided to users at no cost, with selection based on the importance and impact of the proposed scientific research. Dunne believes that LCLS-II will drive a revolution across academic and industrial sectors, fostering the generation of new ideas. He sees this as the essence of the existence of national labs.
In conclusion, the upgraded particle accelerator at SLAC, known as LCLS-II, has achieved a significant milestone by producing its first X-rays. With its capability to emit up to a million X-ray pulses per second and an almost continuous beam 10,000 times brighter than its predecessor, the accelerator is poised to enable groundbreaking research in various fields. Its cooling abilities, enhanced by cryogenic modules, have overcome the limitations of the original accelerator and opened doors to atomic-scale, ultrafast research. The upgraded accelerator is expected to contribute to advancements in quantum computing, communications, clean energy, and medicine. The project has been a collaborative effort involving numerous scientists, engineers, and technicians from the DOE and partner institutions. The realization of this project has required substantial investments and cutting-edge components. With experiments set to commence soon, LCLS-II is anticipated to revolutionize scientific exploration and generate new ideas across academic and industrial sectors.