A Breakthrough in X-Ray Radiation Intensity
An international team of physicists has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by concentrating ultra-short X-ray pulses lasting just 300 attoseconds within an area measuring 180 by 330 nanometers. Conducted in April 2026 at the European XFEL facility, this experiment marks a significant advancement in X-ray radiation research. The findings were published in the scientific journal Optica.
Innovative Techniques and Experimental Insights
To reach this record intensity, researchers employed a Kirkpatrick–Baez mirror system, enabling precise sequential focusing of the X-ray beam both vertically and horizontally. The pulse power was measured using a thin copper foil, which facilitated the study of X-ray interactions with metal atoms. When the X-ray pulses struck the copper, electrons were ejected from the inner atomic shells, generating an intensified beam phenomenon known as amplified spontaneous emission (ASE).
The exceptionally brief and intense X-ray bursts produced in this experiment hold great promise for advancing the understanding of electron dynamics. This insight is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms behind chemical bond formation and reaction pathways. Looking ahead, the European XFEL plans to install its own focusing system in early 2027, which will expand the scope of future research possibilities in this vital area of science.
This achievement represents a pivotal step forward in X-ray spectroscopy studies and has the potential to drive new discoveries across materials science, chemistry, and physics. With the upcoming enhanced focusing infrastructure at European XFEL, scientists anticipate conducting increasingly sophisticated experiments that will propel technological innovation and deepen scientific knowledge.