China one step closer to shining Earth’s brightest light on the atomic world
- Scientists breathe a sigh of relief at the installation of an electron gun at the ambitious Heps facility on the outskirts of Beijing
- Project has been hampered by the coronavirus pandemic and US hi-tech sanctions
China has moved one step closer to generating the brightest X-ray on Earth with the installation of an electron gun at a hi-tech facility on the outskirts of the capital on Monday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The gun was mounted at the High Energy Photon Source (Heps) centre in Huairou district, a 5 billion yuan (US$773 million) project that is expected to be completed in 2025.
The Heps facility, also known as the “light of hope”, will use new technology to accelerate light particles, or photons, in a massive tube and then focus them on a point to create the world’s smallest, brightest spot.
Researchers involved in the project said the experiment would shine light on some of the secrets of the atomic world, potentially leading to discoveries in sectors ranging from materials technology to medical science.
For example, the light could be used on turbo jet engine blades or silicon chips to help improve products, they said.
Construction started on Heps in 2019 and about 70 per cent of the work has been completed, according to state media.
