News Particle Physics

Lasers made muon beams, no massive accelerator needed

The subatomic particles can be used to peer through solid materials

Two people in goggles and white laboratory outfits inspect optics equipment.

Researchers are using facilities like the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator (shown) to accelerate electrons and produce beams of the subatomic particles called muons.

Thor Swift/Berkeley Lab

By Emily Conover

Producing the subatomic particles called muons is now a lighter lift than ever before.

Several teams of researchers have generated muons using small particle accelerators driven by lasers.