One intense laser pulse can produce X-rays and neutrons at the same time to see through solid objects.

Dual radiography usually requires two separate, bulky machines to capture both the internal structure and the material composition of an object. This experiment used a petawatt-scale laser to blast a target and generate high-energy X-rays and neutrons simultaneously. The X-rays provide a clear image of the physical shape, while the neutrons reveal exactly what elements are inside. This single-shot capability allows scientists to record high-speed events like nuclear reactions or structural failures in real time. It offers a powerful new tool for inspecting industrial components and exploring the physics of extreme environments. This means we can now take a complete chemical and structural snapshot of an explosion as it happens.