X-ray lasers belong to amodern generation of light sources from which scientists in widely different disciplines expect to obtain new knowledge about the structure and function of materials at the atomic level.On the basis of this new knowledge,it could then be possible one day to develop better medicines,more powerful computers or more efficient catalysts for energy transformation.The scientific value of an X-ray laser stands or falls on the quality of the ultra-short X-ray pulses it produces and which researchers use to illuminate their samples.An international team led by scientists from the Paul Scherer Institute,PSI,has now precisely measured these pulses.In so doing,they have laid the foundation for ascientifically optimal utilisation of X-ray lasers–not least,of the planned SwissFEL at PSI.The results of this work have recently been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. 查看详细>>

Using X-ray laser technology,a team led by researchers of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI has recorded one of the fastest processes in biology.In doing so,they produced amolecular movie that reveals how the light sensor retinal is activated in aprotein molecule.Such reactions occur in numerous organisms that use the information or energy content of light–they enable certain bacteria to produce energy through photosynthesis,initiate the process of vision in humans and animals,and regulate adaptations to the circadian rhythm.The movie shows for the first time how aprotein efficiently controls the reaction of the embedded light sensor.The images,now published in the journal Science,were captured at the free-electron X-ray laser LCLS at Stanford University in California.Further investigations are planned at SwissFEL,the new free-electron X-ray laser at PSI.Besides the scientists from Switzerland,researchers from Japan,the USA,Germany,Israel,and Sweden took part in this study. 查看详细>>