European XFEL achieves milestone in superconducting undulator development for next-generation X-ray lasers

Researchers at European XFEL have reached an important milestone in developing a new generation of X-ray light sources.

A set of superconducting electromagnets, produced by Bilfinger Nuclear, have proven their excellent performance, paving the way for the use of the design in future superconducting undulators.

These devices will cause accelerated electrons to radiate much more effectively than current state-of-the-art technology allows.

European XFEL aims to become the world's first X-ray free-electron laser to use superconducting undulators.

These undulators will unlock new research in fields such as materials science, chemistry, biology and high-energy-density science by providing X-ray pulses with significantly shorter wavelengths than have been possible at XFELs to date.