European XFEL Boosts Performance with Next-Generation Electron Source
HAMBURG,GERMANY - The European XFEL has received a significant upgrade with the installation of a new,next-generation electron source,promising increased data collection rates and enhanced operational capabilities. The betterment, currently undergoing final assembly in the seventh basement of the DESY injector complex, extends the duration of high-frequency pulses by roughly a third, raising the maximum flash rate of light from 27,000 to 36,000 per second.
This enhancement allows researchers to gather more data within the same timeframe or conduct multiple experiments concurrently. “With the new electron cannon, we will further improve the operational safety and performance of the already extremely well-functioning accelerator,” stated Wim Leemans, director of the DESY accelerator area. “I am very proud of what our teams have done.”
The new source is installed at the very beginning of the accelerator, within the injector. Initial operating experiences are anticipated starting in November, according to DESY researcher Frank Brinker, who coordinates the installation and operation.
The European XFEL is a research facility that uses extremely bright X-ray light to explore the structure of matter at the atomic level. The upgraded electron source is a key component in maintaining its position as a leading international research infrastructure.
