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U.S.WEIRD SCIENCE

World-Record Attosecond X-Ray Pulses Could Reveal Electron Dynamics

Scientists set a record for the shortest X-ray pulses yet, a tool that could let researchers watch electrons move; very fast, very far from your toaster.

On air: Vera Bullock and Hank Ledger on Should You Be Worried?
Published
Photo: Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Vera Bullock and Hank Ledger on this story, from Should You Be Worried? at 10:29 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Mirage News's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: X-ray laser
Photo: Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

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  1. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMirage News reports scientists have set a world record for attosecond X-ray pulses, which could help them watch how electrons move.

  2. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAn attosecond is a billionth of a billionth of a second. Something that quick could be in your house and gone before you even blinked.

  3. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's in a lab.

  4. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLabs have doors, Hank. Doors open, and electrons are very sneaky little things.

  5. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe point is to see electron motion, which nobody has caught clearly.

  6. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNothing in the summary says it's headed for your toaster, and I won't guess.

  7. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the verdict is eat a sandwich?

  8. Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEat a sandwich. And Skip, the question was whether I'd be getting a bigger chair.

  9. Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWe're back Sunday at the same time, and the electrons will be waiting.

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