STFC to work with SLAC on world leading light source
Prof John Beddington signs Memorandum
Credit: SLAC
Research scientists across the UK will participate in the building and commissioning of a new kind of laser, currently under construction in the USA. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has announced today (29th September 2008) its intention to collaborate with the US Department of Energy's Stanford Linear Accelerator Centre (SLAC), on the construction of its Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). In return, it is anticipated that STFC’s contribution will provide UK scientists with valuable expertise and successful competitive proposals for research time on LCLS, scheduled to begin operations in 2009.
The LCLS will be the world’s first hard X-ray free electron laser, producing ultra fast pulses of X-rays more than a billion times brighter than even the most powerful existing light sources. Working much like a high-speed camera, LCLS will enable scientists to probe single atoms and molecules in motion, and will shed light on the fundamental processes of life on unprecedented timescales. These characteristics will enable world leading science in areas that include discovering and diagnosing new states of matter as well as understanding and following chemical reactions, shedding light on the fundamental processes of chemistry, technology, and life itself. LCLS will act like a microscope, able to look at molecules with a resolution 10,000 times smaller than a human hair and will capture images of atomic motion at 1/10 of a quadrillionth of a second, forever changing our understanding of chemistry, physics and materials science.
STFC has agreed to contribute to the construction of an end-station of the LCLS, designed to look at matter under extreme conditions, such as material at extremes of temperatures and density similar to those found in the interior of large planets. In return, research scientists from across the UK will have access to valuable research time on the LCLS. The UK has particular scientific expertise in this area and, building on earlier contacts by the Research Councils, it is anticipated that STFC’s contribution to the construction of this particular end-station will benefit the UK across the broad range of science that LCLS will make possible.
The agreement to collaborate was formalised by a Memorandum of Understanding, signed on 26 September by Professor John Beddington, Chief Scientific Advisor to HM Government, on his visit to SLAC. The MoU documents the intent between STFC and SLAC to work together to enable the exploitation and expansion of the scientific capabilities of the LCLS.
Prof John Beddington signs Memorandum
Credit: SLAC
Of the MoU, Professor Beddington said: “STFC and SLAC are both world leaders in the development and operation of user facilities for the chemical, materials and biological sciences and have made key contributions to our understanding of atoms and electrons in advanced materials. Both organisations are committed to the exploration of the extraordinary scientific capabilities that a hard X-ray free electron laser will offer. STFC’s intention to collaborate will secure UK scientists with invaluable access to LCLS, and will further allow STFC and SLAC to build on their respective strengths, paving the way for ground breaking research on this exciting world leading facility.
Professor Justin Wark, Chief Scientist, STFC Photon Science Research Institute said: “This is a particularly exciting time for STFC and research scientists across the UK and we are looking forward to working with SLAC. Our contribution to LCLS will also allow the UK to gain valuable experience in advance of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) in Hamburg, which is expected to begin operation in 2014.”
Dale Knutson, Acting Associate Laboratory Director for LCLS, said: "SLAC is very excited to have STFC as a partner in this effort. It’s contributions will enable outstanding science from the LCLS."
Notes for editors
Images and captions
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- Professor John Beddington signs Memorandum of Understanding at SLAC. (Image shows: Persis Drell (Director of SLAC), John Beddington (HMG CSA) and Bill Madia (Standford's Vice President for SLAC).
Credit: SLAC
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- Professor John Beddington signs Memorandum of Understanding at SLAC. (Image shows: Jerry Hastings (Professor of Photon Science, LCLS) and Justin Wark (Chief Scientist, STFC Photon Science Research Institute, Persis Drell (Director of SLAC), John Beddington (HMG CSA) and Bill Madia (Standford's Vice President for SLAC)).
Credit: SLAC
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Page last updated: 30 September 2008
by Wendy Taylor
