Gamma Ray Power

At the extreme end of the spectrum sit gamma rays — electromagnetic waves with wavelengths smaller than an atom. They carry enormous energy per photon and are produced by the most violent events in the universe.

Nuclear explosions emit gamma rays. Radioactive decay emits them. Pulsars, black holes, and supernovae blast them across galaxies.

On Earth, gamma rays serve two very different purposes. In cancer treatment, focused gamma beams destroy tumor cells by shredding their DNA while sparing surrounding tissue. In sterilization, they kill bacteria on medical equipment and food. A single gamma photon carries trillions of times the energy of a radio-wave photon.