search articles:     from the issue of September 7, 2006         Core Values: Research and Creative Activity  OFFICE OF RESEARCH University home to world-class laser   WARMING UP - Franz Falcoz of Thales Laser makes an adjustment to the Diocles laser. Photo/Publications and Photography.   For months, construction workers and physicists prepared the sub-basement of Behlen Laboratory for the arrival of a laser so powerful and ultra-fast that it has the potential for reaching the highest intensity ever produced by any laser in the world. The new Extreme Light Laboratory welcomed its first public visitors at an unveiling celebration Aug. 25. Producing more power than 100,000 Hoover Dams in bursts lasting only 30 billionths of one millionth of a second, the Diocles Laser and physicist Donald Umstadter are putting UNL at the forefront of international high-field physics and laser research. Diocles, named by Umstadter after the Greek mathematician who around 200 B.C. invented the parabolic mirror, is the newest in a new generation of compact lasers that produce very brief pulses of extremely intense light. In a space the size of an office, Diocles offers the opportunity to generate the same level of intense light (in the form of X-rays) conventionally produced by synchrotron accelerators more than a mile in circumference. Diocles produces gamma rays (X-rays) that can "see through" four-inch-thick steel to detect bomb material hidden in a cargo container, or hairline cracks in a jet turbine. The laser is small and inexpensive enough for hospitals to potentially use it as a proton source for cutting-edge cancer therapy. Umstadter is already receiving almost $1 million in funding annually from federal agencies. GO TO: ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 7 NEWS HEADLINES FOR SEPTEMBER 7 Year in Review 15 proposals for teaching, learning excellence funded Air Force ROTC sweeps national honors Awards and Honors Beef scholars program begins Big Event draws more than 1,000 campus volunteers BIT Mobile rolls across Nebraska Buffett, Gates visit campus Cassman directs energy center Chemist creates synthetic bone Circle of Nations hosted by UNL Civil Rights marcher gives keynote address in MLK observance Combined campaign raises $331,994 Committees lay foundation for general education reform Core Values: Achievement Core Values: Diversity Core Values: Engagement Core Values: Excellence Core Values: Learning Core Values: Research and Creative Activity Core Values: Stewardship Eight students chalk awards Energy research partners UNL scientists, public power Engineering opens 2006 with new lab Excellence in Brief Faculty earn top teaching, research honors Fall semester opens with LGBTQ minor Five faculty members earn Fulbright honors Four record CAREER grants Franco takes student affairs helm Ginsburg tenders two UNL lectures Hurricane Briefs Journalism issues two depth reports Learning community builds on Thompson Forum speakers Libraries expand Cather collections NaBRO lands 5-year Korean bridge project Natural Resources moves to Hardin Hall NU Directions hailed as model program Partnership aims at commercialized cholesterol fighter Program aimed at next generation of researchers Program cards a first Psych symposium examines lesbian, gay, bisexual identities Research funding tops $100 million milestone Research on campus Retention drive launched Robots participate in 18-day mission Sheldon revives tradition Theatre Arts honors Carson Three new majors offered to students Transportation Center earns grant University takes new tack in accreditation UNL aids $5M wheat effort UNL among top 50 colleges UNL, Grand Island students celebrate college opportunity UNL students approve new culture center UNL updates online image Weisz helps shape court's handling of abused and neglected children Year in Review issue can be downloaded in pdf format 732561S36130X