Laser vision

Thyratrons and imaging sensors from e2v have been chosen to form part of the new X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) that is being built at the SPring-8 radiation facility located in Hyogo Prefecture in Japan.

The free electron laser will generate high-intensity X-rays by accelerating electrons to relativistic speeds, which then produce X-ray light in synchronisation.

The high-intensity X-ray pulses generated have the properties of laser light, with intensities much brighter than those produced by conventional synchrotron light sources.

A joint project between RIKEN (Japan’s natural sciences research institute) and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), the XFEL has been designated as a key technology of national importance by the Japanese government.

The CX1836 thyratrons and driver units from e2v will form the heart of a high-voltage power supply, which will power the klystrons that will then supply microwave energy to drive RF cavity resonators that will accelerate the electrons around the system.