SLAC topics

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X-ray studies at SLAC facilities help scientists understand the fundamental workings of nature by probing matter in atomic detail.

atoms forming a tentative bond
Feature

Physicist Tor Raubenheimer explores the world by climbing rocks and designing particle accelerators.

Photo: Tor Raubenheimer, accelerator physicist
Feature

Experiments at SLAC’s X-ray laser reveal in atomic detail how two distinct liquid phases in these materials enable fast switching between glassy and crystalline...

Diagram of material switching between glassy and crystalline states
Feature

What they learned could help manufacturers design more reliable and longer-lasting batteries for smartphones and cars.

battery electrode damage
Feature

Its electron beams will drive the generation of up to a million ultrabright X-ray flashes per second.

LCLS-II first electron beam
Feature

For mechanical engineer Sarah Edwards, SSRL is the ultimate classic car.

photo of Sarah Edwards
Feature

SLAC’s ‘electron camera’ films rapidly melting tungsten and reveals atomic-level material behavior that could impact the design of future reactors.

Tungsten melting
News Release

X-rays reveal an extinct mouse was dressed in brown to reddish fur on its back and sides and had a tiny white tummy.

mighty mouse false color
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Researchers produced an underwater sound with an intensity that eclipses that of a rocket launch while investigating what happens when they blast tiny jets...

Underwater sound
News Release

A better understanding of how these receptors work could enable scientists to design better therapeutics for sleep disorders, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

melatonin
Feature

Scientists precisely control where single-atom catalysts sit on their support structures, and show how changing their position affects their reactivity.

Feature

A new method could be used to look at chemical reactions that other techniques can’t catch, for instance in catalysis, photovoltaics, peptide and combustion...

molecule
Feature

More than 300 gathered for a day-long symposium to celebrate the history and future of the pioneering X-ray laser.

group photo from LCLS 10-year anniversary symposium