SLAC's Upgraded X-Ray Laser Ignites a New Era of Science

Stanford's upgraded particle accelerator, the LCLS-II, has produced its first X-rays, emitting up to a million X-ray pulses per second and a beam 10,000 times brighter than its predecessor. The cooling abilities of the accelerator, with cryogenic modules cooled to negative 456 degrees Fahrenheit, allow for boosted electrons with minimal energy loss. The upgraded accelerator will enable unprecedented research into atomic-scale phenomena, quantum computing, clean energy, and medicine, attracting researchers from around the world. The project involved multiple institutions and has gone through $1.1 billion in funding.