'Super-scope' to see hidden texts

More about using light beams to reveal texts on unreadable manuscripts.

The hidden content in ancient works could be illuminated by a light source 10 billion times brighter than the Sun. The technique employs Britain's new facility, the Diamond synchrotron, and could be used on works such as the Dead Sea Scrolls or musical scores by Bach. Intense light beams will enable scientists to uncover the text in scrolls and books without having to open - and potentially damage - them. The research was presented at the British Association science festival.

The article is accompanied by an animation to show how the technique operates.