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Revolutionary Laser Accelerator Transforms Muon Imaging Efficiency

10/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Berkeley Lab researchers have developed a 30-centimeter laser-plasma accelerator (LPA) that produces highly directional muon beams for practical muon imaging.
The LPA accelerates electrons to multi-GeV energies and yields muons at rates over 40 times higher than cosmic rays.
Imaging times drop from months to minutes, enabling inspections of large structures including the Great Pyramid of Giza and nuclear waste.

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Story summary

Berkeley Lab researchers have developed a 30-centimeter laser-plasma accelerator (LPA) that produces highly directional muon beams for practical muon imaging.
The LPA accelerates electrons to multi-GeV energies and yields muons at rates over 40 times higher than cosmic rays.
Imaging times drop from months to minutes, enabling inspections of large structures including the Great Pyramid of Giza and nuclear waste.