The SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, located in Menlo Park, California, is a renowned U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory operated by Stanford University. Established in 1962, SLAC specializes in particle physics and accelerator research. It houses one of the longest linear accelerators in the world, spanning two miles. SLAC’s cutting-edge research encompasses a wide array of scientific fields, including high-energy physics, materials science, biology, and chemistry. The facility is pivotal in advancing knowledge through its state-of-the-art X-ray free-electron laser, which allows scientists to study atomic structures and dynamics in unprecedented detail. SLAC’s contributions have been instrumental in various scientific breakthroughs and advancements in technology.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have discovered new behaviors in an ultrathin material that may revolutionize optoelectronic devices. Using a high-speed electron camera, they…
When viewed at an atomic level, the seemingly smooth flow of ions through a battery’s electrolyte is actually quite complex. Solid-state batteries store and release…
Since its discovery, dark matter has continued to elude detection by scientists, even with the deployment of multiple ultra-sensitive particle detector experiments around the world…
Once installed on a telescope in Chile, the 3,200-megapixel LSST Camera will help scientists better understand dark matter, dark energy, and other mysteries of our…
Scientists have discovered that crystals can twist when they are sandwiched between two substrates – a critical step toward exploring new material properties for electronics…
A new study reveals that “diamond rain” on icy planets like Neptune and Uranus forms under less extreme conditions than previously believed. This phenomenon influences…
As the global shift towards renewable energy sources gains momentum, there arises a crucial challenge: how to store energy effectively for periods when solar and…
This surprising result is important for understanding unconventional superconductors and other materials where electrons band together to act collectively. Long before researchers discovered the electron…
New research exploring the quantum properties of elements in extreme environments has significant implications for our understanding of Earth’s history, the interpretation of unique seismic…
The future of experimental particle physics is exciting – and energy intensive. SLAC physicists are thinking about how to make one proposal, the Cool Copper…
SLAC researchers are developing a new, light-activated method to produce the molecule, nitroxide, which opens doors for future biomedical applications. Unveiling the Potential of Nitroxide…
Scientists used ultrafast electron diffraction to image the structure of the pericyclic minimum, the “transition state” of electrocyclic reactions. In chemical reactions, molecules proceed during…
Proving the technique works puts scientists one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of hydrogen transfers. Scientists have caught fast-moving hydrogen atoms – the keys…
Defects can make a material stronger or make it fail catastrophically. Knowing how fast they travel can help researchers understand things like earthquake…
Powerful X-rays generated at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have enabled researchers to gain new insights into the evolution of feathers. How closely related are dinosaurs…
It lets researchers extract pixel-by-pixel information from nanoscale X-ray movies of electrode particles absorbing and releasing lithium ions. Billions of tiny particles packed into rechargeable…
With up to a million X-ray flashes per second, 8,000 times more than its predecessor, it transforms the ability of scientists to explore atomic-scale, ultrafast…
Researchers demonstrate a way to remove the potent greenhouse gas from the exhaust of engines that burn natural gas. A new catalyst using single palladium…