X-ray Free-Electron Lasers - Most Engineered Light Source?

X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs) are gaining significant recognition from the United States Navy as potential advanced anti-aircraft and anti-missile directed-energy weapons. XFELs are engineering marvels, producing ultra-short and brilliantly intense radiation pulses lasting only femtoseconds, equivalent to 125 trillion pulses in the blink of an eye.
The operation of XFELs involves accelerating electrons to near-light speeds and passing them through a meticulously designed magnetic structure called an undulator. This arrangement forces the electrons into a zigzag path, emitting powerful X-ray light. Subsequently, only the X-ray radiation is retained, directed at a target (sample), and captured by an X-ray detector. Advanced computer processing transforms this data into detailed 3D molecular structures, enabling profound insights into molecular interactions.
Beyond military use and molecular research, XFELs are poised to disrupt traditional synchrotron light sources and have been used for minimally invasive surgeries, leading to new medical possibilities. XFELs have also advanced virology, drug development, and our understanding of complex biological processes. With five operational XFEL facilities globally and one under construction as of 2023, the potential for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in numerous fields is on the horizon. XFELs represent a transformative technology that can redefine military capabilities and expand the boundaries of human knowledge.
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[@herpderp159]

Pretty sure the EUV light source used in semiconductor manufacturing, involving hitting drops of molten tin with lasers, is the most engineered light source ever. That's not just sitting in a lab somewhere, it's in (expensive) products that can be bought and are current in regular use.

[@gantech7788]

Except the power output is too low. The next gen EUV source will be electron free lasers.

[@DanielSMatthews]

You have ultraviolet on the wrong side of the visible spectrum, it should be next to X rays.

[@HzGP]

Right, it's on the other side of the visible light... not next to the infrared as in their diagram

[@DanielSMatthews]

@@HzGP Yep past violent, hence the name ultra violet.

[@HzGP]

@@DanielSMatthews I thought it was just my eyes at first sight but I'm glad I was not the only one :)

[@heiko3371]

I came to comment the same issue, but you were faster. That graphic at 1:11 is incorrect, but at least the speaker said it in the correct order: The visible spectrum is between infrared and ultraviolet.

[@ernycas1]

I don't really get how they've conducted surgeries with free electron lasers. I thought there were only a couple of gigantic buildings in the world with this laser and none of them is hospital. Or they've just tasted in on living tissue in LCLS or XFEL or SHINE?

[@ernycas1]

Sorry, tested*

[@kkkwan18]

I've got a feeling at least that part is written by AI, someone please proof me wrong.

[@camronrubin8599]

“Wildfires”

[@diamondportal77]

Is this AI? Gets really rambling at times.

[@Telencephelon]

Wow. What a collage of total nonsense, out of context videoclips and without-value narration

[@ZAKI21ALG]

Just impressive but more edgy magnets 🧲 can make electrons travel faster