Materials Science

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October 22, 2021
News Feature
Experiments confirm a quantum material’s unique response to circularly polarized laser light
Topological insulators conduct electricity on their surfaces but not through their interiors. SLAC scientists discovered that high harmonic generation produces a unique signature from the topological surface.
A counterclockwise pattern of swirling arrows This pattern of arrows representing the combined spin and momentum of electrons in the surface layer of a topological insulator
October 14, 2021
News Feature
Aditya Sood receives 2021 LCLS Young Investigator Award for work at intersection of materials science and ultrafast physics
The early career award honors Sood for his research and leadership using the LCLS user facility at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
Aditya Sood portrait
October 13, 2021
News Feature
Why skyrmions could have a lot in common with glass and high-temperature superconductors
Spawned by the spins of electrons in magnetic materials, these tiny whirlpools behave like independent particles and could be the future of computing. Experiments with SLAC’s X-ray laser are revealing their secrets.
Illustration of skyrmions -- little whirlpools of magnetism formed by the spins of atoms.
October 13, 2021
News Brief
SSRL and LCLS Host 2021 Users’ Meeting
Scientists who perform experiments at SLAC’s lightsources gathered online for research talks, workshops and discussions.
Aerial view of industrial-looking research buildings
October 7, 2021
News Feature
Department of Energy gives green light for a flagship petawatt laser facility at SLAC
High-power lasers will work in concert with the lab’s X-ray laser to dramatically improve our understanding of matter in extreme conditions.
diamond rain
September 15, 2021
News Feature
A simple way to get complex semiconductors to assemble themselves
Much like crystallizing rock candy from sugar syrup, the new method grows 2D perovskites precisely layered with other 2D materials to produce crystals with a wide range of electronic properties.
Illustration of layers of 2D materials assembling themselves from chemicals tumbling in water
September 9, 2021
News Feature
After 20 years of trying, scientists succeed in doping a 1D chain of cuprates
The chemically controlled chains reveal an ultrastrong attraction between electrons that may help cuprate superconductors carry electrical current with no loss at relatively high temperatures.
An illustration showing a 1D chain of carbon and oxygen molecules with red springs representing natural vibrations in their atomic lattice.
September 7, 2021
News Feature
Soap study shows the value of global connections during the pandemic
Researchers at the University of Leeds deepened their understanding of a synthetic detergent without ever setting foot in the lab where their experiments took place.
An X-ray beam line guide points toward a gold-colored piece of laboratory equipment.
August 2, 2021
News Feature
Ilya Belopolski wins 2021 Spicer Young Investigator Award for work on exotic quantum materials
Belopolski has made key discoveries about Weyl semimetals and topological magnets, systems in which quantum effects produce new emergent particles with exotic electronic and magnetic properties.
Portrait of Ilya Belopolski
July 19, 2021
News Feature
Scientists discover how high-energy electrons strengthen magnetic fields
The research could lead to a better understanding of extreme astrophysical environments and the development of compact high-energy radiation sources for science.
high-energy electrons strengthen magnetic fields

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