Matter in Extreme Conditions

One of the most basic ways of understanding a material is learning how it changes between its solid, liquid, gas and plasma phases. These changes take place at specific temperatures and pressures. But under extreme conditions – like those in the hearts of planets or in exploding stars – materials can enter other exotic phases with unique characteristics.

At SLAC, researchers are studying some of the most extreme and exotic forms of matter ever created, in detail never before possible. The capabilities of SLAC's X-ray and laser facilities as well as a world-class program in experiments, theory and simulations combine to make SLAC an international leader in exploring matter in extreme conditions.

High Energy Density Science

SLAC's High Energy Density Science (HEDS) Division is dedicated to investigating the physical properties and behaviors of extreme materials. Their research sheds light on what’s going on in faraway planets and stars, has promise for developing certain medical treatments and is also relevant to understanding nuclear fusion, which scientists hope to harness someday as an energy source.

Visit the HEDS website »

Creating Extreme Matter

Image - An upgraded high-power laser is designed to synchronize with experiments in this large chamber, at left, in the Matter in Extreme Conditions experimental station at SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source X-ray laser. (SLAC)

The revolutionary capabilities of SLAC's X-ray laser, LCLS, provide the key to new insights on high energy density materials. One of LCLS's seven experimental stations, called Matter in Extreme Conditions, or MEC, is fully dedicated to the study of extreme matter. Experiments there have seen atomic-scale details of materials with pressure more than 4,500 times higher than the deepest ocean depths and superheated to 20,000 kelvins – four times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Find out more about the MEC instrument at LCLS »

Matter in Extreme Conditions

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