SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day last year, we received our first cryomodule delivery for a high energy upgrade to the world’s most powerful X-ray free-electron laser - keeping us at the forefront of X-ray science and technology.

We welcome Alberto Salleo as SLAC’s first deputy director for science and technology! “Alberto brings to SLAC a strong balance of research expertise and leadership experience, as well as deep connections to Stanford colleagues.” - John Sarrao, SLAC lab director The deputy director role focuses on identifying and realizing opportunities and strengthening the coordination and execution of science and technology initiatives. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gVveezBc

Lights, camera, action!?? The world's largest digital camera has officially been installed at NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory! ?? With this major milestone achieved, Rubin is now in its final phase of testing ahead of revealing long-awaited "First Look" imagery later this year — over a decade in the making! The car-sized LSST Camera was the final major component to be installed on the telescope ?? Soon, Rubin will begin to #CaptureTheCosmos with the decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time, repeatedly scanning the southern night sky and generating the greatest cosmic movie of our Universe ever made ?? Once online later this year, Rubin will be jointly operated by the National Science Foundation (NSF) NSF NOIRLab and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Read more about this exciting milestone! ?? https://lnkd.in/gD__6yjV

The world’s largest digital camera, built by SLAC for the National Science Foundation (NSF)- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vera C. Rubin Observatory, is now fully installed! This major milestone means the final phase of testing can take place before Rubin begins its 10-year survey of the night sky, and capture more data than any other observatory in history. Learn more about our quest to #CaptureTheCosmos: https://lnkd.in/ggvf32yJ

Decades of knowledge. ?? Congratulations to the 42 employees celebrating a milestone 10-years at the lab! Pictured here are Michael Gonzalez, Lydia Young, Viswanath Ravindranath, Cory Andrews, Matt Martinez, lab director John Sarrao, Kathryn Jepsen, Jonathan Russell, Hsiao-Mei Sherry Cho and Diane Hascall. Back row, from left, Sophia Chapman, Mark Hunter, Renae George, Tomasz Biesiadzinski, Hongchen Jiang, John Gates, Jacob Koralek, Phil Marshall, Daniel Akerib, Fritz Mueller, Adi Natan, Andrew Aquila, Robert Coy, Shweta Saraf and Richard Kelly, along with SLAC Lab Director John Sarrao, at front center.

SLAC’s Simon R. Bare has been awarded the 2025 Exceptional Achievements in Catalysis Award by the American Chemical Society, recognizing pioneering research accomplishments in the field of catalysis. As co-director of the Chemistry & Catalysis Division at our synchrotron (SSRL) and distinguished staff scientist at SLAC, Simon leads a team dedicated to advancing catalysis research and supporting scientists from around the globe in their cutting-edge work at SLAC. “Catalysts are the unsung heroes that accelerate reactions and drive innovations. My team partners with leading catalysis researchers, harnessing the advanced capabilities of SSRL to propel the field of catalysis into new frontiers. Together, we are paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and transformative advancements.” Learn more about the team’s work: https://lnkd.in/gkp3cEsV

Today! Tune in at 1:30 p.m. PT to watch the competition where contestants from 17 U.S. National Labs present a compelling three-minute presentation of their research #NLSLAM25. Join us as we cheer on our own Astrid Anker! https://bit.ly/4hb707E

Harder, better, faster, stronger ?? SLAC scientists created the most powerful ultrashort electron beam in the world! Five times more powerful than ever before: https://lnkd.in/gfyHCP7K

"How can we claim to understand the universe when such a significant piece is missing? Exploring that mystery drives us forward." - Tom Shutt at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, discussing the hunt for mysterious dark matter. Find out what we've learned so far: https://lnkd.in/e7vM3zAJ

DOE’s 17 National Labs have delivered groundbreaking advancements in technology and science for over half a century. Just within the past few years, the combination of brilliant minds and the drive for innovation have led to: 1. Achieving the world's first fusion breakthrough 2. Possessing the world top 3 fastest supercomputers 3. Creating the most powerful X-ray laser in the world 4. Completing the world’s largest digital camera for astronomy Safe to say, it’s always exciting when scientists from all 17 Labs gather in one place. ?? Tune in on March 5th for the second-ever #NationalLabSLAM, a unique competition where early career researchers will go head-to-head on Capitol Hill: nlresearchslam.org