History & lore

By capturing the most energetic light in the sky, the spacecraft continues to teach us about the mysteries of the universe.

Approaching retirement, Jean Deken describes what it’s like to preserve decades of collective scientific memory at a national lab.

The foils, each made from a single chemical element, are used to calibrate X-ray equipment at SLAC’s SSRL synchrotron, and were donated by long-time user, Farrel Lytle.

An award-winning mentor and networking guru, Al Ashley has placed thousands of underrepresented minority students in science and engineering summer research programs.

One of the pioneering particle physicists working at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Taylor carried out experiments that led to the 1990

Nearly 200 guests attended a symposium on fundamental physics to celebrate the former deputy director’s numerous scientific contributions, which continue to have a tremendous impact on our understanding of the subatomic world.

Sensitive gamma-ray “eye” on NASA’s Fermi space telescope continues to provide unprecedented views of violent phenomena in the cosmos.

H. Pierre Noyes, the first director of SLAC's Theory Group, died in Stanford on Sept. 30, 2016, at age 92. Noyes, a theoretical physicist, leaves behind a legacy of distinctive academic work and activism.

An ancient surprise surfaced in 1964 during construction of the 2-mile linear accelerator.

SLAC launched America’s first website on Dec. 12, 1991.

The lab’s signature particle highway prepares to enter another era of transformative science as the home of the LCLS-II X-ray laser.

An all-day symposium recognized the professor emeritus for his many contributions to the scientific community, from pioneering synchrotron radiation research at SSRL to making science policies on Capitol Hill.