Upgrade the world's most powerful X-ray microscope

US scientists are upgrading the X-ray microscope to study the activities of the microscopic world.

The fastest and most powerful X-ray microscope in the world is being upgraded to an amazing new milestone: It will emit laser beams 8,000 times faster and 10,000 times brighter than with present. This would allow scientists to record the activity of atoms in such a short time.

The LCLS is operated by Stanford University for the Science Department of the US Department of Energy. This is the first device to use the brightest and fastest X-ray pulses to provide detailed information about the world of atoms.

Motion images of electrical particles are recorded by the LCLS X-ray microscope. (Source: FN).

The LCLS upgrade began on April 5 and, after completion, the device will be called LCLS-II.

Since being launched six years ago, scientists have been using LCLS to observe and study the basic processes of nature, including how the chemical compounds are formed and broken down. How are electrons rearranged in matter and change their properties?

LCLS also helps researchers observe the chemical reaction that occurs, observe electrons moving through the material, and observe the behavior of atoms.

But LCLS also lags far behind the LCLS-II. When the upgrade is completed by early 2020, LCLS-II will generate up to 1 million X-rays per second, which is 8,000 times faster than the LCLS.

"The LCLS-II will take x-ray science to a new level, expanding the scope for ultra-fast and ultra-small material research," said LCLS company director Mike Dunne . Our goal is to develop new technologies in the future, including new electronics, innovative medicines and energy solutions. "