Diffraction Pattern (IMAGE) Uppsala University Caption This is the mimivirus diffraction pattern. The X-ray pulse lasted only for a millionth of a billionth of a second. The pulse heated the virus particle to 100,000 degrees centigrades but only after it had left the sample. Credit Janos Hajdu Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.