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.

SLAC information about COVID-19 »

Multiphase, Multiscale Chemomechanics at Extreme Low Temperatures

Deciphering the Mechanism of Enzymatic Methane Synthesis

Long-term Evolution of Noncrystalline Uranium in Lake Sediments

Quantifying Myelin and Axon Orientations in the Brain

X-ray Crystallography-derived Conformational Ensembles to Better Understand Enzyme Catalysis

Previous Pause Next

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

SPEAR operations resume in October.

SSRL is not currently scheduling unvaccinated users for onsite research. Exceptions may be made in limited circumstances where an individual is legally entitled to an accommodation, such as disability and medical conditions or because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Vaccination record, COVID-19 testing, face coverings, Health Check, ESH100R COVID training, and SSRL Safety Talk required.

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

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

Click for Full Status

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.