Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
European XFEL researchers have generated hard-X-ray flashes estimated to last about 300 attoseconds, focused them to a nanoscale spot, and verified a peak intensity above 1020 watts per square centimetre. The result sets a record for intensity and fluence in a hard-X-ray attosecond pulse and gives scientists a way to probe electronic processes before intense radiation substantially changes a sample.
What European XFEL achieved
The experiment took place in April 2026 at the Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument. European XFEL reported the result on 16 October 2026. The associated publication is titled “Generation of high-fluence and high-intensity hard X-ray attosecond pulses at the European XFEL” in Optica (DOI 10.1364/OPTICA.613284).
| Measurement | Reported result | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse duration | Estimated 300 attoseconds | Short enough to probe electronic motion on atomic and molecular timescales |
| Focused spot | 180 × 330 nanometres | Concentrates the pulse into a nanoscale area at the sample |
| Peak intensity | More than 1020 W/cm2 | Reported as a world record for a hard-X-ray attosecond pulse |
| Fluence | Record-setting, according to European XFEL | Indicates an unusually large amount of X-ray energy delivered per unit area |
| Independent check | Copper-foil amplified spontaneous emission | Tests whether the beam reached the extreme-intensity regime |
What is an attosecond X-ray pulse?
An attosecond is 10-18 seconds. Electrons in atoms and molecules can respond on this timescale, so an attosecond pulse acts as an exceptionally brief probe. It can initiate or measure an interaction and end before slower structural changes, heating or extensive radiation damage obscure the initial electronic response.
The pulse is not a camera that directly records an electron moving frame by frame. Instead, scientists examine signals produced when the X-ray field interacts with matter. By changing the timing or conditions of an experiment and analysing those signals, they can infer how electronic states evolve.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How the advanced Kirkpatrick–Baez mirror focuses the beam
The focusing system is an advanced Kirkpatrick–Baez (AKB) arrangement. It uses two precision mirrors at right angles:
- One mirror focuses the beam in the vertical direction.
- The second focuses it horizontally.
- The X-ray pulse reflects four times in total before reaching the focal spot.
- The combined focusing compresses the beam to the reported nanoscale dimensions.
The AKB system used for the April experiment was brought from Japan. Focusing is crucial because intensity depends on how much pulse energy is concentrated into a given area; a small spot allows the same ultrashort pulse to produce a much stronger field at the sample.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How researchers verified the extreme intensity
The team used a copper foil as an independent diagnostic. The hard X-rays first removed electrons from deep inner shells of copper atoms. Electrons from higher shells then fell into those vacancies and emitted X-rays.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →At sufficiently high intensity, that emission can trigger additional excited copper atoms to emit in the same forward direction. This process, called amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), produces a directional signal rather than ordinary fluorescence, which spreads in many directions. The ASE signal increased rapidly with pulse energy and then saturated, a behaviour expected when the beam crosses the extreme-intensity threshold.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
MID instrument group leader Anders Madsen described the visual signature this way: “Normal fluorescence goes in all directions, regardless of the direction of the incoming beam. But when the ASE threshold is crossed, you see the light cone starting to condense into the forward direction.” The copper measurement therefore provided a check separate from calculations of the mirror focus and pulse energy.
Why the result matters for electron studies
Observing matter before major sample changes
Ultrashort, intense flashes can interrogate a sample before the X-rays have time to cause widespread structural damage. That is valuable for experiments in which the first electronic response is the phenomenon of interest, rather than the later state of a heated or disintegrating sample.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Accessing nonlinear X-ray interactions
At ordinary intensities, a material’s response is often approximately proportional to the incoming field. At the demonstrated intensity, multiple X-ray interactions can occur within the same pulse, opening a regime in which absorption, emission and electronic excitation behave nonlinearly. Jiawei Yan, the corresponding author and a DESY scientist, said that generating powerful pulses is only the first step; the important advance is delivering attosecond X-rays to the sample for studies of highly nonlinear interactions between X-rays and matter.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Chemical-reaction control is not yet demonstrated
The experiment demonstrated pulse generation, nanoscale focusing and independent intensity verification. It did not show researchers controlling electrons during a chemical reaction. European XFEL presents that kind of control as a longer-term possibility that could follow from improved measurements of electronic motion.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What happens next at the MID instrument
European XFEL expects delivery of its own AKB system in early 2027. After installation and commissioning, the facility intends to offer these intense, short pulses to researchers using MID. Planned work includes studying electronic behaviour before major sample changes occur, while the exact experiments will depend on commissioning results and user proposals.
How to compare this capability with other X-ray sources
A meaningful comparison requires more than a single intensity number. The relevant specifications are:
- Pulse duration and how it was estimated or measured.
- Photon energy or hard-X-ray wavelength.
- Focal-spot dimensions and the method used to determine them.
- Peak intensity and fluence, including whether each was directly measured or independently validated.
- Repetition rate and the conditions under which the figures apply.
European XFEL’s announcement establishes the duration, focal dimensions, peak-intensity claim and copper-foil validation for this experiment. It does not, in the available report, provide a photon-energy value, wavelength or repetition-rate figure, so those parameters should not be inferred from the record claim.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe significance in one sentence
This is a demonstrated advance in delivering and validating exceptionally short, intense hard-X-ray pulses—not yet a demonstration of steering electrons in a chemical reaction, but a platform that can make such measurements more practical.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
