World-record intensity in attosecond hard-X-ray pulses could unlock closer study of electrons in atoms and molecules
Researchers used the European XFEL to create X-ray flashes that were not only extremely short but also reached record intensity for this type of pulse. The researchers focused the X-rays to an area roughly 100,000 times smaller than the cross section of a typical human hair. This concentrated the X-ray light into a tiny but extremely powerful spot. The method could enable detailed studies of how…
Researchers at the European XFEL have generated X-ray flashes with record intensity and extremely short duration, opening up new possibilities for studying the behavior of electrons in atoms and molecules. By focusing the X-rays to an area just 180 by 330 nanometers, the team achieved a peak intensity of over 10^20 watts per square centimeter.
This level of intensity confirms the X-ray pulses' power to probe highly nonlinear interactions between X-rays and matter. The method could potentially allow researchers to control electrons during chemical reactions. The experiment, conducted in April 2026, was published in the journal Optica. The European XFEL expects to deliver its own advanced mirror system in early 2027, further enhancing its capabilities for capturing detailed information about electrons before the X-rays cause significant changes to the sample.
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