 |
|||
| ARGONNE HOME PAGE | ARGONNE INTRANET | NEWS HOME PAGE | BACK ISSUES |
| |
|||
| ARGONNE HOME PAGE | ARGONNE INTRANET | NEWS HOME PAGE | BACK ISSUES |
A new world's record for most energetic beam of light has been set by scientists and engineers at Argonne's Advanced Photon Source using a fully operational, mirrorless free-electron laser.
The accomplishment demonstrated that such free-electron lasers could provide the true laser-quality X-ray beams needed to open exciting new horizons for research in dozens of scientific fields.
The beam of light produced in the experiment had a wavelength of 385 nanometers, placing it in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum and making it 1,000 times more energetic than the previous record beam from an operational free-electron laser of its kind.
"In the history of synchrotron radiation research, which is only about 45 years old, you can count the true breakthroughs on the fingers of one hand," said David Moncton, associate laboratory director for the Advanced Photon Source. "This is one of them. Our team received congratulatory e-mails from dozens of colleagues all over the world who are working on this same problem."
A report on the research appeared May 18 in Science Express, the Web version of Science magazine, and will appear in the print version of the publication in June. The research team was led by Efim Gluskin (XFD) and Stephen Milton (ASD).
"Synchrotron radiation" refers to the way high-energy electrons emit light when magnets bend their flight paths. The world's most powerful X-ray sources, including Argonne's Advanced Photon Source, use this method to produce their beams.
The next generation of X-ray sources for scientific research will be based on the free-electron laser concept, the latest extension and refinement of synchrotron radiation. Unlike a conventional laser, which requires mirrors, the Argonne free-electron laser uses a powerful electron accelerator in combination with arrays of very long and precise magnets and needs no mirrors for operation.
With further development, free-electron lasers promise to provide laser-like X-ray beams in ultrashort pulses that will enable scientists to study the properties and structures of materials in far greater detail and in far less time than is possible today. Examples include:
"Snapshots" or "movies" of chemical and
biological reactions too fast to be observed with today's sources.
Holographic images of proteins and other molecules.
The ability to make an image of a single
protein molecule with a single X-ray pulse. Scientists would
no longer be limited to making images of only proteins
that form crystals.
The ability to study "warm, dense matter,"
a state between one in which all the electrons
surrounding a collection of atoms are highly excited and one
in which all the electrons and atoms have become so
excited that the electrons are stripped from the atoms
and the whole collection becomes a hot plasma.
Today, X-rays are the most widely used scientific probe for studying the structures and interactions of crystalline materials at the atomic and molecular levels. But many materials do not form crystals and many reactions take place too quickly to study adequately, even at Argonne's Advanced Photon Source, which provides the nation's most powerful X-ray beams for research.
An ideal step forward for X-ray researchers would be to use lasers that produce intense, perfectly focused X-ray beams. Unfortunately, conventional lasers cannot produce beams of light more energetic than ultraviolet light, which is far less energetic than X-rays. This is because conventional lasers rely on mirrors, which become less efficient as they reflect higher-energy light.
Scientists at laboratories around the world have been trying to step around this problem by developing a version of the free-electron laser. This technology relies on a process called "self-amplified spontaneous emission" and does not require mirrors. Instead, a self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser requires a high-quality electron beam and a long array of high-quality magnets, called an "undulator. "
A free-electron laser could theoretically produce an X-ray beam with a peak brightness more than one billion times greater than the brightest beam available today, such as those generated by Argonne's Advanced Photon Source.
Argonne is one of six U.S. research organizations collaborating on developing the free-electron laser technology needed to achieve this national goal. Their collaboration is aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed Linac Coherent Light Source, a proof-of-principle fourth-generation X-ray light source to be built at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, representing the 13th Congressional District that includes Argonne, will speak on "Congressional Support of Science" at a Director's Special Colloquium Wednesday, May 30.
The colloquium will begin at 2 p.m. in the Advanced Photon Source Conference Center, Building 402. All employees whose schedules permit are invited to attend.
Biggert was elected in 1998, replacing longtime 13th district congressman Harris Fawell, who retired after seven terms.
The Republican is a member of the House Science Committee, as well as committees on education, financial services, and standards of official conduct.
The self-described fiscal conservative and social liberal has made women's and children's issues among her top priorities.
Additional exhibits and demonstrations have been added to the "National Buckle Up America Week" event at Argonne-East the week of May 21-25.
National Buckle Up America Week is intended to remind drivers to use their seat belts. Several organizations will have information booths in the Cafeteria lobby:
Monday, May 21: Illinois Department of Transportation
Tuesday, May 22: Illinois Secretary of State
Tuesday, May 22: Illinois Department of Commerce, Operation Lifesaver
Wednesday, May 23: MADD -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Thursday, May 24 -- DuPage SafeKids.
Certified technicians will check child restraint seats from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Argonne Fire Department,
Building 333, in the south parking lot.
New for this year are demonstrations to be held at lunchtime in the overflow parking lot in front of Buildings 200 and 205:
Monday, May 21: Illinois State Police rollover
simulator. Demonstrations will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 24: The Seat Belt Convincer,
sponsored by Eastern Illinois University and Illinois
Department of Transportation. Demonstrations will be
held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, May 25: Vehicle extrication demonstration
by the Argonne Fire Department. Demonstrations will
be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
at the Fire Dept., Building 333.
The Argonne Child Development Center has several openings for its summer camp program, June 4-Aug. 10.
The camp is for children of Argonne, U.S. Department of Energy and contractor employees. Children must have completed kindergarten through fourth grade.
Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at Building 951 (the Recreation Building) in Argonne Park. The program hosts 30 children with three camp counselors.
Tuition is $156 per week and includes lunch, snacks and all field trips. Past field trips have included Wendella boat rides, roller skating, and visits to the Adler Planetarium.
Registration is first-come, first-served and must be done in person at the center. There is a $35 nonrefundable registration fee.
For more information, call Center Director Rose Coppola-Conroy at ext. 2-9601.
Argonne, the U.S. Department of Energy and the New Brunswick Laboratory will hold a joint emergency exercise at Argonne-East Tuesday, June 5.
Exercise activities will take place at Building 350, the Visitor Reception Center, the Argonne Emergency Operations Center in Building 201, and the DOE-CH Emergency Operations Center in Building 302.
Emergency vehicles and equipment will be involved near Building 350 and radiological monitoring teams may be involved on- and off-site.
Normal operations will continue at the Visitor Reception Center.
The exercise will test the integrated response operations and communications between DOE and Argonne for a simulated emergency at the New Brunswick Laboratory.
For more information on the exercise, call Chris Van Horn (DOE) at ext. 2-2498 or Gary Pitchford (DOE) ext. at 2-2013.
Best-selling author Joy Loverde will present "Caring for Your Loved One -- Are You Ready?" Thursday, May 24, in Argonne-East's Building 200 Auditorium, from noon to 1 p.m.
Loverde, author of "The Complete Eldercare Planner," will discuss tools and tips to lessen the economic and emotional stresses of caring for elderly loved ones and averting a crisis.
Copies of her book will be available at the seminar, which is sponsored by Human Resources.
"Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace," a new interactive course offered by Human Resources, is designed to help participants explore conflict-management techniques for the workplace.
The course, HR 253, will be presented Wednesday, June 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 201, Room 190. Cost is $175.
Registration deadline is Friday, May 25. To enroll, contact a Training Management System representative before May 25. For more information, call ext. 2-3410.
The Chicago Biotech Network (CBN) will meet at Argonne-East Tuesday, May 29, from 5-7:30 p.m., in the Advanced Photon Source Atrium and Conference Center.
CBN represents the Chicago region biotech community, including biotech companies, biotech service companies, universities, venture and banking interests, and state and local government.
The meeting will include a mixer with technical exhibits, a series of short presentations, and follow-up discussions. The exhibits and presentations will highlight laboratory expertise in biotechnology applications, structural biology, bioinformatics and other areas.
Attendance is free and open to Argonne employees who register.
For more information, or to register, contact Seth Snyder (ES) at seth@anl.gov or ext. 2-7939. Include name, division, title, and e-mail address.
Argonne's retirement vendors will visit Argonne-East during June to meet individually with employees and answer their questions about retirement plans and retirement plan assets.
To schedule an appointment with these representatives, call the number listed. Appointments are for one-half hour each, except for Prudential, which offers half-day sessions.
| Vendor | Day | For Appointments, call: |
| Fidelity | Tuesday, June 5 and June 19 | Appointment Desk (800) 642-7131 |
| TIAA-CREF | Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22 | Appointment Desk (800) 842-2005 |
| Prudential | Wednesday, June 6, 13 and 20 | Appointment Desk -- Cheryl
(847) 619-3519 |
The Guest House Restaurant at Argonne-East will be closed for dinner on Sunday, May 20, and lunch on Monday, May 21, for special functions.
Electronics and Computing Technologies will offer a range of computer software classes at Argonne-East in June.
Full class descriptions are available online. To enroll, contact a division Training Management System representative.
Unless otherwise noted, classes will be held in Building 221, Room A142, cost $215 and are limited to 10 participants.
"Beginning Unix" (ECT564) -- Tuesday, June
5, 9 a.m. - noon, and Thursday, June 7, 9 a.m. _ noon.
Cost: $265.
"vi Editor in Unix" (ECT567) -- Friday, June 8,
9 a.m. - noon. Cost: $180.
"Advanced Word 2000" (ECT378) -- Monday, June
11, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
"Advanced Excel 2000" (ECT379) -- Tuesday,
June 12, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
"Advanced Access 2000" (ECT380) -- Wednesday,
June 13, 8:30 - 4:30 p.m.
"Front Page 2000" (ECT383) -- Thursday,
June 14, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday, June 15, 8:30 a.m.
- 4:30 p.m. Cost: $430. Class size limited to eight.
Service Awards for April include:
35 Years
James L. Oldani (PFS), Albert E. Painter (PFS), Dale L. Smith (TD).
25 Years
Laurel A. Chapman (ER). Sue A. Curtis (DIS), Karen L. DeLara-Menozzi (DEP), Henry A. Harper (FAC), Raymond K. Knepper (PFS), Alan L. Moler (PFS), Leon C. Robinson (PFS), Judith K. Stickels (MCS), David G. Streets (DIS), Shari K. Zussman (OTT).
15 Years
Susanne Prodehl Forst (ESH), Nelson A. Hanan (TD), Gloria M. King (OCF), William R. Mosby (NT), George D. Mosho (ESH), Vincent J. Novick (TD), Lynn B. TenKate (CMT).
10 Years
Alexei Abrikosov (MSD), Donald Barnett (PFS), William Black (PFS), David Brink (TD), David J. Carron (PFS), Sandra Classen (LEG), Frank S. Felicione (ENT), Gaylene L. Flores (ERA), David Garbin (PFS), Arthur Gordon (PFS), B D'Lynn Howell (RPS), Brent L. Inskeep (FAC), Jack Jones (PFS), Omar A. Karim (PFS), Betty Kinney (RAE), Kim A. Mandekich (HR), Bruce Massow (PFS), Gary Messenger (RPS), Kenneth Moore (PFS), Deming Shu (XFD), William A. Stigberg (ESH), Kevin Stoll (ESH), William Storey (PFS), Richard A. Tafoya (IPNS), Temitope A. Taiwo (RAE), Sandra D. Tomchak (RPS), Peter B. Wells (NT), Charles Wise (ESH).
5 Years
Richard Becker (ER), Terri L. Carroll (RPS), Eric A. Howden (NT), Lorraine M. LaFreniere (ER), Jerome Mroz (PFS), Theresa A. Rodriguez (HR), Robert H. Scott (PHY), Kurt A. Spokas (ER), Sulbha S. Wagh (IPD).
