What are free electron lasers used for?

A free-electron laser consists of an electron beam propagating through a periodic magnetic field. Today such lasers are used for research in materials science, chemical technology, biophysical science, medical applications, surface studies, and solid-state physics.

How much does a free-electron laser cost?

Free electron lasers, which use a high-power laser to make X-rays with electrons, have been around for five years, but only a few exist. They cost $1 billion to build, they can be miles long, and they cost $100 million annually to operate.

How do electron lasers work?

To make bright pulses of light, a free electron laser starts with a bunch of electrons and accelerates them to nearly the speed of light. The electrons are then fed into an undulator or wiggler, a series of magnets that deflect the electrons causing them to radiate energy.

What does Xfel stand for?

X-ray free-electron lasers
X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) are the first lightsources that are able to routinely generate coherent, ultra-brilliant, tunable laser pulses in the X-ray regime.

What is electron beam gun?

1. A device generally used in a cathode-ray or camera tube to emit a stream of electrons moving at uniform velocity in a straight line. It consists of an emitting cathode and an anode, with an aperture for passage of some of the electrons.

How do lasers work on skin?

The laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis). At the same time, the laser heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates collagen production over time, resulting in better skin tone and texture.

How does an XFEL work?

XFELs are like a cross between an X-ray microscope and a laser. They work by producing very intense pulses of light at an astonishingly fast rate – we’re talking between hundreds and tens of thousands of light pulses each second.

How does an undulator work?

Undulators are the most powerful generators of synchrotron radiation at storage rings. Like wigglers, they consist of periodic arrangements of dipole magnets generating an alternating static magnetic field which deflects the electron beam sinusoidally.