Aerial view of SSRL (Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource) with SLAC’s campus in the background. (Olivier Bonin/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
Aerial view of SLAC’s  campus with the LINAC in the foreground leading into the campus. The interstate 280 passes over the LINAC. Stanford campus and Hoover tower can be seen in the distance. (Olivier Bonin/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
SLAC’s campus at sunset looking southeast. The Stanford Dish and Interstate 280 in the distance. (Olivier Bonin/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

Bold People
Visionary Science
Real Impact

We explore how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invent powerful tools used by scientists around the globe. Our research helps solve real-world problems and advances the interests of the nation.

Our story Our people

Visionary Science

Explore our frontier research

X-ray & ultrafast science

Revealing nature’s fastest processes with X-rays, lasers and electrons

Physics of the universe

Studying the particles and forces that knit the cosmos together
 

Advanced accelerators

Building smaller, faster, more powerful accelerators for all
 

Science of life

Understanding the machinery of life at its most basic level
 

New technologies

Inventing new tools for science and society
 

Energy sciences

Finding clean, sustainable solutions for the world’s energy challenges

WHERE RESEARCH HAPPENS

Facilities & centers

At our large-scale facilities and specialized centers, scientists take advantage of powerful tools and unique expertise and collaborate with each other across a wide range of disciplines. Working together is what makes science tick.

Scientific facilities Joint institutes & centers

MEET OUR TEAMS

SLAC people

To achieve our ambitious goals and keep SLAC a great place to work, the lab needs a creative, diverse and united workforce – people with a wide variety of experiences, ideas, skills and backgrounds.

News Feature

Physicists in the United States support the development of an off-shore Higgs Factory.

Conceptual illustration of a factory production line with robot arms with a particle collision in the center
News Feature

An energy systems engineer, Cezar helps bridge advanced energy research and applications.

Portrait of Gustavo Cezar
News Brief

This research advances our understanding of Earth's deep interior and exoplanets, opening new research avenues in Earth and planetary sciences.

mec_super_earth
News Feature

Physicists in the United States support the development of an off-shore Higgs Factory.

Conceptual illustration of a factory production line with robot arms with a particle collision in the center
News Feature

An energy systems engineer, Cezar helps bridge advanced energy research and applications.

Portrait of Gustavo Cezar
News Brief

This research advances our understanding of Earth's deep interior and exoplanets, opening new research avenues in Earth and planetary sciences.

mec_super_earth
News Feature

The prototype DUNE 2x2 detector will capture up to 10,000 neutrino interactions per day.

Two people in blue helmets examine experimental equipment.
News Feature

The physicist and former vice provost and dean of research was named Stanford’s vice president for SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Kam Moler
News Feature

Tanner works on self-assembling nanocrystals, which could be the basis for less expensive, easier to build displays and solar cells.

Christian Tanner
SLAC EVENTS

What’s happening

Upcoming Event
Register to watch in person in the  Kavli Auditorium,  or watch the lecture live on our  YouTube page. It is a mystery how the...
Public Lecture: Macon Abernathy
Oct 10

SLAC is a vibrant community of diverse perspectives and expertise, all working together to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our times."

John Sarrao Lab Director Headshot of John Sarrao
About SLAC video still frame
Video
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is a Department of Energy national lab run by Stanford in the heart of Silicon Valley. We invent scientific tools to explore the universe at its biggest, its smallest and its fastest. (Olivier Bonin/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
DIG DEEPER

Explore SLAC

PUBLIC TOURS

Take a tour of SLAC

SLAC Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) accelerator tunnel.
MEDIA RESOURCES

Images, videos & more

Ghost imaging illustration