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The Linac Coherent Light Source at SLAC, the world’s first hard X-ray free-electron laser, takes X-ray snapshots of atoms and molecules at work, revealing fundamental processes in materials, technology and living things.

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Rooftop view of Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS)
News Brief

Researchers used X-ray lasers to control a modified cardiovascular drug with light and captured snapshots showing how it binds to proteins.

Photo of medications, pills and capsules
News Brief

Researchers reengineered an ePix10k detector for use in ultrafast electron diffraction, empowering studies of chemical processes that were previously out of reach. 

Photo of the detection chamber of SLAC's MeV-UED instrument
Feature

SLAC researchers and collaborators trained a neural network that can use ion momentum to work backward and predict the pre-blast geometry of a molecule.

Illustration of AI used for the reconstruction of the structure of molecules blown up by X-ray pulses
News Brief

The new method allows better studies of valence electrons key to materials’ properties and could help unlock novel photocatalysts, light-switchable superconductors and other applications...

Illustration showing the mixing of X-rays and optical light
News Brief

The team developed a platform that uses powerful X-rays from the lab’s LCLS X-ray laser to resolve for the first time the evolution of...

Illustration of filament-like structures in plasma
Feature

Salleo sees strength in the big picture and minute details of the people, tools and partnerships at SLAC.

Portrait of Alberto Salleo
Feature

Researchers find evidence of coexisting atomic stacking patterns in superionic water. 

Dark background with three connected elements: a blue and purple sphere on left, blue molecular spheres in center circle, and green prism on right.
News Release

Surfing a plasma wave, electrons get an energy and brightness boost.

Illustration of electrons traveling through a plasma chamber
News Brief

With a new method that could be extended to study Earth’s core and nuclear fusion, they identify and explain jumps in the electrical conductivity...

Illustration of a short laser pulse heating a sheet of aluminum, causing it to melt and break up into droplets.
Feature

Water is all around us, yet its surface layer is surprisingly hard to study. Experiments at SLAC’s X-ray laser are bringing it into focus.

Two water strider insects with long, thin legs cast shadows on dark blue water surface with blurred background reflections.
News Release

Experiments running at these higher pulse rates will allow scientists to capture ultrafast processes with greater precision, collect data more efficiently and explore phenomena...

lcls ii milestone
Feature

Researchers at SLAC are developing experimental techniques to evaluate new candidates for inertial fusion energy targets. 

a graphic in the style of graphic novel depicts four lasers converging on a spherical target, which represents an inertial fusion energy reaction