The research could lead to a better understanding of extreme astrophysical environments and the development of compact high-energy radiation sources for science.

Edward Hohenstein, Emma McBride and Caterina Vernieri study what happens to molecules hit by light, recreate extreme states of matter like those inside stars and planets, and search for new physics phenomena at the most fundamental level.

Siegfried Glenzer's team and collaborators from Tel Aviv University are working on a method that could make proton accelerators 100 times smaller without giving up any of their power.

The SLAC scientists will each receive $2.5 million for their research on fusion energy and advanced radiofrequency technology.