High-power attosecond X-rays offer unprecedented insights into ultrafast atomic-scale dynamics, evolving multiple scientific fields.
A major development in X-ray science has been achieved by researchers at European X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) and Deutsches elektronen-synchrotron (DESY), a research centre in Germany, who have invented high-power attosecond hard X-ray pulses operating at megahertz repetition rates. This innovation facilitates the exploration of ultrafast electron dynamics and implements non-destructive measurements at the atomic level, marking a significant escalation in scientific research.
The team generated single-spike hard X-ray pulses with durations lasting mere hundreds of attoseconds which is one quintillionth of a second and energy levels surpassing 100 microjoules. These X-rays can capture electron motion with unparalleled precision, offering new opportunities in attosecond crystallography and atomic-scale imaging. Scientists involved in materials science, molecular biology, and quantum physics are likely to benefit from this innovation, as it provides tools for studying matter’s structural and electronic properties without causing damage.
“These high-power attosecond X-ray pulses could open new avenues for studying matter at the atomic scale,” explained Jiawei Yan, physicist and lead researcher, XFEL. “They allow for damage-free measurements of structural and electronic properties, enabling advanced studies of electronic dynamics in real space.”
Traditional approaches to generating ultra-short X-ray pulses involved reducing the electron bunch charge, which limited their energy and practical utility. In contrast, the research team employed a self-chirping method that harnesses the collective behaviour of electron beams and advanced beam transport systems. This innovative approach led to the creation of attosecond X-ray pulses with terawatt-scale peak power and megahertz repetition rates, overcoming previous limitations.
“By combining ultra-short pulses with megahertz repetition rates, we can now collect data much faster and observe processes that were previously hidden from view,” stated Gianluca Geloni, group leader, FEL physics group, XFEL.
This development is poised to transform fields such as atomic-scale imaging of protein molecules, nonlinear X-ray phenomena, and materials science. It offers an unprecedented glimpse into the hidden dynamics of matter, paving the way for advancements across multiple scientific disciplines.
