Chinese scientists have successfully taken a novel approach to obtaining free-electron lasing (FEL) that may realize the production and popularization of low-cost, table-top FEL devices with breakthroughs in multiple disciplines.

It was the first time that researchers have been able to obtain FEL based on the laser Wakefield electron accelerator.

A paper about the research result by the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), a result of nearly a decade’s effort, was published as the cover story of the United Kingdom-based journal Nature on July 22.

X-ray FEL can be used to detect the internal dynamic structure of various matters and study the interaction process of light with atoms, molecules and condensed materials, and may lead to breakthroughs in diverse disciplines such as physics, chemistry, structural biology, medicine, materials, energy and the environment.

“The features of FEL, including its super high resolution rates regarding time and space and super strong peak brightness, makes it possible to realize three-dimensional, multimodal imaging of matters with ultra-high precision,” said Wang Wentao, a professor of the institute and a co-first author of the paper.

“The application of the potential technology is likely to immensely expand human’s understanding of the mystery of life and the evolution of living things,” he said.

Experts explained that there are currently eight FEL facilities in operation in the world ranging in size from 300 meters to 3.4 km, but that technology of a radio frequency electron accelerator does not allow small-size FEL facilities that can be popularized.

“We proved the feasibility of the new technical route with the laser electron accelerator with ultra-high acceleration capability, and downsized the facility size from kilometer level to 12 meters,” said Leng Yuxin, deputy director of the institute.

Researchers gave an example of potential future application brought by the small-sized FEL facilities. Even if a patient undergoing X-ray imaging moves quickly at the speed of light, a machine with the technology could still produce an image of impressively high resolution.

Source: China Daily