The Stanford two-mile accelerator, the longest in the world, accelerates electrons to the very high energy needed in the study of subatomic particles and forces. Experiments performed here have shown that the proton, one of the building blocks of the atom, is in turn composed of smaller particles now called quarks. Other research here has uncovered new families of particles and demonstrated subtle effects of the weak nuclear force. This research requires the utmost precision in the large and unique electromechanical devices and systems that accelerate, define, deliver, and store the beams of particles and in the detectors that analyze the results of the particle of interactions. Plaque is publicly accessible without appointment.
Laboratory requires an appointment.
SLAC is located adjacent to Menlo Park, west of the Stanford campus at 2575 San Hill Road, east of highway 280. Tours of SLAC are conducted several times a week for the public at 9am and 1 pm and are available by reservation. Tours take 2 hours and are offered free of charge as a public service. It begins with a presentation in the auditorium and ends with a bus tour of the 426-acre facility. Please give a week's notice in planning a tour, noting that the tour schedule is heavy.