THE LINAC COHERENT LIGHT SOURCE (LCLS) FREE ELECTRON X-RAY LASER ― OVERVIEW OF FACILITY AND ITS SCIENCE

With ultrashort and ultrabright X-ray pulses (> 1012 photons in pulses of < 100 femtosecond length), X-ray free electron lasers provide revolutionary new capabilities to study a wide range of science phenomena, including molecules in motion. Beginning operations in 2009, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC has been the first of such machines now delivering 280-eV to 11-keV X-rays to users. We will present some of the most exciting science examples and highlights from the LCLS. We will also discuss new upgrades and capabilities, specifically the launch of the new LCLS-II project.