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The world’s first CXFEL
The compact X-ray free electron laser (CXFEL), currently being developed at Arizona State University, will be the first of its kind in the world. It will provide X-ray pulses so short that they outrun all X-ray damage processes. As a result, scientists can conduct novel science to explore the structure and dynamics of nature and materials as never before.
The CXFEL brings ultrashort X-ray technology from large scale, expensive multibillion-dollar XFEL facilities at national labs to the university – the place where researchers work with their students on novel discoveries for a small fraction of the cost. Currently, there are only five large X-ray free electron lasers in the world, so that only five experiments can be done at any time.
The ASU CXFEL has the potential to be a force-multiplier for discovery. The CXFEL technology may one day be made available to install at other locations to give scientists and medical researchers throughout academia, industry and medicine access to brilliant X-rays in their own laboratories, accelerating and broadening scientific discovery like never before. The project is a prime example of the uncompromising spirit of scientific inquiry.
The CXFEL will enable
- Movies of biomolecules in action. To visualize drugs binding to receptors at the surface of a cancer cell will fuel development of novel drugs with more specific binding and fewer side effects.
- Biomedical imaging. Visualizing patient biopsy samples will show fine resolution of the cell structure at much higher detail than even a CT scan.
- Material and quantum science. To unravel the mechanism of superconductance of quantum material will move us to loss-free transfer of energy over long distances.
The ASU CXFEL Labs team includes pioneers in accelerator technologies and an array of staff and students working tirelessly on the project. Team members pictured here are 1st row (from left): Mark Holl, Bill Graves, Sam Teitelbaum, Deanna Clark, Elena Ros, Trixia Dela Rosa, Petra Fromme. 2nd row (from left): Greg Babic, Taryn Brown, Rejul Jaswal, Eric Everett, Rae Larson, Anastasia Martinez, Antonella Semaan, Alan Dupre, Robert Kaindl. 3rd row (from left): Luke Malin, Xinyi Ma, Joseph Tinlin, Steve Rednour, Sean Tilton, Steve Jachim, Juan Vela, Brett Liebich, Alex Gardeck, Kevin Eckrosh, Dean Smith
Undergraduate research at the CXFEL
CXFEL Labs is excited to announce its designation as an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site (Award ID 2447869). Over the next three years, this program will offer undergraduate students a unique 10-week summer research internship, running from May to August.
At CXFEL Labs, you’ll work in a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary environment, tackling groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of science and technology. Whether your passion lies in engineering, physics, computer science, chemistry or biology, there’s a place for you to contribute, innovate and grow.
Contact
For questions in our center about research, training, collaborations or jobs, please contact:
