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World's First X-Ray Laser Goes Live

Posted by timothy on from the bring-x-rays-back-to-shoe-stores dept.

smolloy writes "The world's first X-ray laser (LCLS) has seen first light. A Free Electron Laser (FEL) is based on the light that is emitted by accelerated electrons when they are forced to move in a curved path. The beam then interacts with this emitted light in order to excite coherent emission (much like in a regular laser); thus producing a very short, extremely bright, bunch of coherent X-ray photons. The engineering expertise that went into this machine is phenomenal — 'This is the most difficult light source that has ever been turned on,' said LCLS Construction Project Director John Galayda. 'It's on the boundary between the impossible and possible, and within two hours of start-up these guys had it right on.' — and the benefits to the applied sciences from research using this light can be expected to be enormous: 'For some disciplines, this tool will be as important to the future as the microscope has been to the past,' said SLAC Director Persis Drell."

12 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. The one question we all want to know. by Dyinobal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can it give me super powers if it accidentally hits me?!

    1. Re:The one question we all want to know. by captnbmoore · · Score: 5, Funny

      No but as in the previous story it may sink your balls.

      --
      The Navy Motto "IF it ain't broke Fix It" "A day is wasted if you don't learn something new"
    2. Re:The one question we all want to know. by Scutter · · Score: 5, Funny

      Can it give me super powers if it accidentally hits me?!

      It can give you the power to roll around on the ground and crap yourself. Does that count?

      --

      "Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
    3. Re:The one question we all want to know. by dunng808 · · Score: 5, Funny

      The way it works in old comics, a ray gun gives the *shooter* power. But what good is a ray gun that shoots right through stuff? Won't the ray from my gun just circle around past the end of the universe and hit me in the back, like having sex with my girlfriend's sister?

      --

      Gary Dunn
      Open Slate Project

    4. Re:The one question we all want to know. by davester666 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Where can I pickup my free Electron Laser? Will they be ad-supported (watch an ad before you get to fire the laser) or is there a 'pro' version?

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    5. Re:The one question we all want to know. by Tumbleweed · · Score: 5, Funny

      Can it give me super powers if it accidentally hits me?!

      Yes. It can make you disappear instantly. But only the one time.

    6. Re:The one question we all want to know. by Verteiron · · Score: 3, Funny

      On the upside, if you manage to reassemble yourself from that state, you'll get a nifty blue glow and no one will arrest you for running around naked all day.

      Ha ha! Dangly parts.

      --
      End of lesson. You may press the button.
  2. size by jschen · · Score: 3, Funny

    So when will it be small enough to fit on a shark's head?

    1. Re:size by geekoid · · Score: 5, Funny

      HA. Typical non-mad scientists thinking! you will never get anywhere thinking like that!
      The question is, "SO when will there be a shark large enough to mount this on?"

      and that would be next week.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:size by circletimessquare · · Score: 4, Funny

      HA. Typical non-evil mastermind thinking! you will never get anywhere thinking like that!
      The question is, "SO which lawyer do you want to mount this on?"

      --
      intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  3. popcorn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can I suggest that they put this thing in the belly of an airforce drone and attempt to cook a tub of popcorn on the ground? Perhaps in my professor's house?

  4. Re:A big medical breakthrough. by Liquidrage · · Score: 4, Funny

    But once they ship it off to Taiwan for mass production that two miles will become two centimeters. And we'll all have our own X-Ray laser pointer.