Our vision. Our Mission. Our Values.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Our Vision 

SLAC is  a leader in exploring frontier questions of science. Our facilities are used to solve scientific mysteries - from the workings of subatomic particles to the structure and function of matter to the nature of the cosmos - with the potential to improve life for all of us.

Who are we ?

We are one of 10 national laboratories under the stewardship of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.

Our state- of - the - art instrumentation and facilities are used by more than 3,000 researchers form government, academia and industry each year to advance scientific discoveries.

We were founded in 1962, and in our 50-year history, we have enabled numerous scientific advances in areas ranging from energy and material sciences to particle physics and drug discovery and even the World Wide Web. Research conducted at SLAC has resulted in six Nobel Prizes to date.

We are operated by Stanford University. One of the world's great institutions for research and higher education.

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Our Mission

SLAC is a multi-program laboratory exploring frontier questions in accelerator research, particle physics and astrophysics, and the structure and function of matter.

Our mission is to:

*Grow into a premier photon science laboratory. 

For SLAC, being a premier photon science laboratory means two things: Our X-ray research facilities must be among the best in the world, a trusted destination for scientists from all over the globe. And we must constantly expand our in-house research capabilities, so SLAC's own world-class scientists can make groundbreaking discoveries here.

*Maintain our position as the premier accelerator laboratory.

Throughout our history, SLAC's two-mile linear accelerator has produced high-energy electrons for revolutionary physics experiments. Our capabilities in accelerator technologies are foundational to the laboratory's existence. Whether fine-tuning existing technologies to improve experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source(LCLS), or spearheading research and development into the next generation of facilities, SLAC's goal is to continue to provide the best accelerator technologies to the nation and the world.

*Pursue strategic programs in particle physics, particle astrophysics and cosmology.

SLAC has a rich history in particle physics, one that has yielded great discoveries over the last five decades. Our work in this area continues, with programs aimed at better understanding the fundamental building blocks of matter and the great mysteries of the universe.

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Our Values

Our Values are the foundation of our ability to do outstanding science.

Our values are:

One Lab. Taking action based on what is best for the lab and the scientific community, guided by our mission.

Excellence. Performing with distinction, delivering high-value research and operations.

Safety. Maintaining the health and safety of our staff and visitors and protecting our environment.

Diversity. Encouraging a respectful and professional work environment that values diversity of every kind as central to our success.

Communication. Fostering an open environment for individual and organizational communication.

Play to win. Striving to be the best in everything we do, and delivering on our commitments to our collaborators and to our customers