Free-electron laser facts for kids
A free-electron laser, or FEL, is a special kind of laser. It makes a super bright beam of light. Think of it like a super powerful flashlight!
Regular lasers use electrons that are stuck to atoms. But FELs are different. They use tiny particles called electrons that move freely. These electrons zoom through a special magnetic structure. That's why it's called a free-electron laser.
FELs can make many different types of light. They can produce everything from microwaves (like in your microwave oven) to X-rays (like what doctors use). This makes them very useful!
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Who Invented Free-Electron Lasers?
Free-electron lasers were invented by a scientist named John Madey. He created the first one in 1976 at Stanford University in the United States.
Madey's work was based on earlier research. In 1953, another scientist, Hans Motz, and his team built something called an undulator at Stanford. This undulator used a special magnetic setup called a wiggler. The wiggler is a key part of how free-electron lasers work.
Madey used a fast beam of electrons and a long wiggler to make his laser work. After his invention, other science labs around the world started building their own free-electron lasers.
How Do Free-Electron Lasers Work?
Free-electron lasers need a lot of electricity to run. To save energy, scientists use a clever trick. They use something called an energy recovery linear accelerator.
This accelerator helps to recycle the high-energy electron beam. This means the electrons can be used again and again. This makes the lasers more efficient and uses less power.
Images for kids
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The free-electron laser FELIX at Radboud University, Netherlands.
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A diagram showing how an undulator works. This is a key part of a free-electron laser.
See also
In Spanish: Láser de electrones libres para niños
