The world’s ultimate X-ray machine will start up in 2023

The Linac Coherent Light Source II X-ray laser will probably be so quick and vibrant that it’s going to enable folks to create motion pictures of atoms transferring inside molecules

By Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

Early in 2023, electrons flying at practically the pace of sunshine in a tunnel beneath California will produce the brightest X-rays ever seen on Earth, permitting us to look at atoms and molecules in unprecedented element.

These record-breaking X-rays will probably be produced on the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, which has upgraded its Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) X-ray laser to be the quickest and brightest on the earth. While the LCLS produced about 100 X-ray pulses every second, LCLS-II will …