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discovered_01_2013

FOCUS// The HZDR Research Magazine WWW.Hzdr.DE 04 05 "In addition, our electron beam can be coupled to a high- intensity laser," explains Peter Michel, head of ELBE. In this way, the researchers are able to produce brilliant X-ray light similar to modern-day synchrotron sources albeit in a smaller space. Furthermore, lasers are capable of greatly accelerating particles and the goal is to further increase their energy. This could mean compact laser accelerators that are considerably smaller than conventional facilities for cancer patient irradiation. The basic idea: the scientists accelerate hydrogen nuclei off of a foil surface. The protons that are produced are slowed down as they pass through an organism’s tissues and explosively emit a large burst of energy before getting stuck. Physicians could potentially focus the rays to target the tumor while sparing the surrounding tissues in the organism’s more highly sensitive, vital parts like the brainstem. True, the HZDR experiments are currently performed only on cell cultures - but they do set the stage for important improvements in cancer therapy. Although, admittedly, Einstein couldn’t possibly have conceived of their tremendous potential. One simple push of the button On February 28, 2013, Saxony’s Minister President Stanislaw Tillich officially inaugurated the new ELBE Center for High-Power Radiation Sources. "My hope is that the new center’s unparalleled experimental facilities will help generate outstanding research findings. Both Dresden’s and Saxony’s scientific landscape will benefit from this as much as the economy and, by definition, all of us will." With the entire ELBE staff present at the ceremony, Minister President Tillich and ELBE director Peter Michel together pushed the button that gave the official signal for research to commence in the newly expanded building. The new ELBE is supported by funds totaling 55 million Euros, 34 million of which are contributed by the Free State of Saxony. The Minister President took the occasion to personally tour the new lab facilities including the new terahertz source, which will allow for extensive research opportunities that are not limited to HZDR researchers alone. Like all the other guests, Tillich had to don protective clothing when touring the high-power laser DRACO as not a spec of dust is allowed to come into contact with the highly sensitive laser optics. At the HZDR’s annual reception which followed, Tillich was quick to point out ELBE’s great versatility. "ELBE is the biggest research facility in all of Saxony. Along with the building expansion, the center’s international renown has also increased. This kind of leading research activity with its potential for attracting top researchers from all over the World is just what Saxony needs."CONTACT _Institute of Radiation Physics at HZDR Dr. Peter Michel p.michel@hzdr.de FREE ELECTRON LASER: Researchers are using intense flashes of light produced by two free electron lasers to study material states at the atomic level. Photo: Frank Bierstedt Saxony's Minister President Stanislaw Tillich inaugurating the new Center for High-Power Radiation Sources together with the HZDR's Scientific Director Roland Sauerbrey (right), Peter Michel, the head of ELBE (second from the left), and Administrative Director Peter Joehnk (left). Photo: Oliver Killig

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