SLAC topics

X-ray light sources and electron imaging RSS feed

X-ray light sources and electron imaging are advanced techniques used to study the structure and properties of materials. X-ray light sources use high-energy photons to produce X-rays, while electron imaging uses high-energy electrons to produce detailed images of samples. 

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Aerial view of SLAC
Photograph

MeV-UED first user

SLAC staff scientist Alexander Reid

October 4, 2022
SLAC staff scientist Alexander Reid, the first user of the lab's instrument for ultrafast electron diffraction (MeV-UED).
Video

What is an XFEL?

Play this video for a simple explanation of what an XFEL is and what kind of research scientists can do with this engineering marvel.
September 30, 2022  ·  00:06:21  runtime
video still frame from explainer about X-ray Free Electron Lasers.
Video
Photograph

Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) Hutch 6

Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) Hutch 6, located in the LCLS Far Experimental Hall.

September 29, 2022
Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) Hutch 6, located in the LCLS Far Experimental Hall.
Illustration

XLEAP illustration

Scientists use a series of magnets to transform an electron bunch into a narrow current spike which then produces a very intense attosecond X-ray...

September 27, 2022
XLEAP illustration
Photograph

Cryoplant team

Drone photo of the team working on LCLS-II cryoplant.

September 23, 2022
Cryoplant team
Illustration

Chemical reaction

The ultrafast, ultrabright X-ray pulses of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) have enabled unprecedented views of a catalyst in action, an important step...

September 23, 2022
Nilsson science cover
Photograph

Dominique White inspects a cryomodule delivered

Dominique White takes a look at the last cryomodule for LCLS-II delivered from Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

September 23, 2022
Dominique White takes a look at the last cryomodule for LCLS-II delivered from Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
Photograph

Cryo-EM and SSRL workshop

Cryo-EM and SSRL training workshop at SLAC.

September 22, 2022
Cryo-EM and SSRL training workshop
Photograph

Cryo-EM image processing workshop at SSRL

Cryo-EM image processing workshop at SSRL

September 22, 2022
Cryo-EM image processing workshop at SSRL
Where research happens

Scientific facilities

Our original 2-mile-long particle accelerator, built half a century ago for groundbreaking particle physics research, has been repurposed as the world’s first hard X-ray free-electron laser and a testbed for next-generation accelerator technologies.

Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) Hutch 6, located in the LCLS Far Experimental Hall.
Photograph

Jeney Wierman at SSRL

Jeney Wierman stands in the control room of SSRL. She, along with other members of the Structural Molecular Biology team...
September 21, 2022
Jeney Wierman of SLAC’s Structural Molecular Biology team
Illustration

“Supercharging” atoms with X-ray laser

Ultra-bright X-ray laser pulses can be used to strip electrons away from atoms, creating ions with strong charges.

September 21, 2022
Illustration of X-ray laser pulses stripping electrons away from atoms