X-ray Science

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January 21, 2021
News Feature
Squeezing a rock-star material could make it stable enough for solar cells
A promising lead halide perovskite is great at converting sunlight to electricity, but it breaks down at room temperature. Now scientists have discovered how to stabilize it with pressure from a diamond anvil cell.
Illustration of a lead halide material being squeezed in a diamond anvil cell
January 19, 2021
News Feature
Researchers discover long-sought mechanism behind worst cases of a common blood disorder
G6PD deficiency affects about 400M people worldwide and can pose serious health risks. Uncovering the causes of the most severe cases could finally lead to treatments.
January 12, 2021
News Feature
Sulfur plays a role in the ocean’s carbon cycle, new study finds
The results suggest a possible feedback that could help trap carbon in the ocean’s low-oxygen zones, but the impact on climate change remains unclear.
Scientists watch from a ship deck as a sample is hauled in from the ocean.
January 4, 2021
News Feature
First glimpse of polarons forming in a promising next-gen energy material
These fleeting disruptions, seen for the first time in lead hybrid perovskites, may help explain why these materials are exceptionally good at turning sunlight into electrical current in solar cells.
An illustration shows polarons as bubbles of distortion in a perovskite lattice
December 17, 2020
News Feature
Physicists solve chicken-and-egg question at the heart of photomagnetism
The results, which show that ultrafast atomic motions are the first step in forming a magnetic state, could lead to faster and more efficient data storage devices.
Charge transfer
December 14, 2020
News Feature
During COVID-19, SLAC experiments continue with the help of remote technology
The lab’s X-ray laser recently joined other facilities in making remote science possible from any corner of the world, a trend that will likely continue into the future.
Remote experiments in the control room at LCLS
December 4, 2020
News Feature
Shapeshifting proteins provide electrons safe passage during photosynthesis
The results of a new scientific study reveal how photosynthetic reaction centers adapt to make light-driven reactions more efficient.
photosynthesis header
November 24, 2020
News Feature
Researchers search uncharted waters to find a better data-storage material
Most new materials are discovered near the proverbial shore. Now, scientists deploy artificial intelligence and high-throughput experimental techniques to search previously uncharted waters to find revolutionary new materials.
A ship sails along a coastline, while a sea monster swims near an island where treasure can be found.
November 23, 2020
News Feature
Scientists blast iron with powerful X-rays, then watch its electrons rearrange
A better understanding of how this happens could help researchers hone future electronic measurements and offer insights into how X-rays interact with matter on ultrafast time scales.
Image - Artist's rendering of two laser beams striking sample.
October 29, 2020
News Brief
Identifying COVID-19 antibodies for potential treatments
Images reveal how some antibodies may block SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A rendering of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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