European x-ray free electron laser
The European XFEL is a new research facility that will be realized in 2015 in Hamburg and Schenefeld. It is an international project with a strong connection to the DESY research center in which 12 countries are involved. The abbreviation stands for XFEL X - Ray Free- Electron Laser, or X-ray light - free-electron lasers.
Genesis, characteristics, scope
In February 2003, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research gave the green light for an X-ray laser device which is to be realized as a European project at DESY. The European XFEL is a 3.4 km long system, can be produced with extremely high-energy laser light with wavelengths from 0.05 to 6 nanometers ( X-rays ). The tunnels range from the DESY site in Hamburg to the Schleswig-Holstein Schenefeld where the research campus with an underground experimental hall is built. The construction work for the predominantly underground facility began in January 2009 and will continue until 2015.
Applications
Due to the low wavelength and the very short duration of the laser flashes ( 100 femtoseconds = 0.000 000 000 000 1 seconds ), the resulting light a variety of applications in research - in fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science, biology and nanotechnology. At up to 10 measuring stations, researchers will be able to film chemical reactions and to make three -dimensional images of structures on the nanometer scale, such as molecules.
Financing
The construction costs, including the placing amounted, according to the project's website 1.15 billion euros ( price level of 2005 ). This is carried by Germany (Federal, Hamburg and Schleswig -Holstein) As the host country, with 58 percent, the rest being financed by the partner countries. Russia takes over 27 percent, the other partners between 1 and 3 per cent. As of today (10/ 2013) to 12 countries participate in the European XFEL.
Technology
The superconducting accelerator technology ( TESLA technology ) which is used in the European XFEL is already successfully used in the preliminary design of the X-ray laser, the free-electron laser FLASH at DESY.