The World’s Most Powerful Laser: Breakthrough at Fermilab

In an impressive feat of scientific ingenuity, Fermilab — one of the Department of Energy’s 17 National Labs — shipped its final superconducting component for the world’s most powerful laser in March 2021. This monumental achievement is the culmination of cutting-edge technology and collaborative efforts from scientists and engineers worldwide.

The laser’s potency is owed to a superconducting particle accelerator component called the “linac.” The Linac Coherent Light Source II — LCLS-II for short — is at DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Accelerating particles to extraordinary speeds, it generates an incredibly intense and focused beam of light.