SLAC, or the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, is a research facility located in Menlo Park, California. It is operated by the U.S. Department of Energy and is known for its advanced particle accelerator technology. The center's primary focus is on high-energy physics, enabling scientists to study the fundamental particles and forces that make up the universe. The facility houses the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), which produces extremely bright X-ray pulses. These X-rays allow researchers to investigate the structure of materials at the atomic level, contributing to advancements in various fields, including biology, chemistry, and materials science.