As a national user facility the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource invites scientists from all over the world to use our intense X-ray beam and world-class instruments for their experiments.

Latest SLAC information about COVID-19 »

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Targeted for Vaccine

Modern Methods Applied to a Past Poisoning at Minamata Japan

Cross-β Structure - a Core Building Block for Streptococcus mutans Functional Amyloids

Reversible Cation and Anion Redox in Lithium-rich Sulfide Battery Cathodes

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

SPEAR3 has re-started, and we are gradually re-opening beam lines. Due to COVID-19, initial x-ray experiments will be performed primarily by beam line staff through mail-in samples or remote access (without on-site users). Contact the User Office if you have questions about how COVID-19 impacts your experiments or to request a proposal extension.

The joint SSRL/LCLS users' conference is virutal rather than an on-site event -- Sept. 28-Oct. 9, 2020.

In support of COVID-19 related research

Several SSRL beam lines will be available to support COVID-19 related work through Rapid Access proposals.

The Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM research facilities are also operational for COVID-19 related research, see Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center (S2C2) and National Center for Macromolecular Imaging (NCMI).

Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences light sources want to ensure they are doing everything possible to enable research into this virus and the search for an effective vaccine or other treatment. The DOE supports research into structural biology in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, and other partners. This portal collects relevant structural biology resources in a single location, listing their basic characteristics and a point of contact for each (link is external).

Supporting the User Community

Visiting scientists ("users") from universities, industries and laboratories around the world use SSRL experimental facilities to conduct experiments across a broad range of scientific, engineering, and environmental disciplines.

Our Experimental Facilities

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Users conduct experiments at SSRL's approximately 30 experimental stations, which utilize extremely bright x-rays produced by the SPEAR3 storage ring. SSRL provides access to beam lines, instrumentation, ancillary equipment supported by dedicated staff scientists and technicians.

Science at SSRL

SSRL's extremely bright x-rays are used by scientists to view the nanoworld, leading to cutting-edge research in drug discovery, energy efficiency and supply, environmental remediation (toxic waste cleanup), electronics, telecommunications and manufacturing.