LBNL Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics

Learn about our novel design for a compact #ParticleAccelerator capable of driving a high-rep-rate soft X-ray free-electron #laser and also offering a path to driving hard X-ray beamlines. https://atap.lbl.gov/news/a-novel-compact-accelerator-for-high-repetition-rate-soft-x-ray-free-electron-lasers/

Discover how scientists have used experiments and modeling to better understand the behavior of a laser and an electron beam in a laser-plasma accelerator. https://atap.lbl.gov/news/combining-experiments-and-modeling-scientists-advance-our-understanding-of-laser-plasma-accelerators/

To all our colleagues who work in chemistry, we are wishing you a Happy Mole Day! Berkeley Lab Department of Energy

Congratulations to our Jens Osterhoff, named an APS Fellow for his pioneering work with high-power #lasers for next-generation laser-plasma accelerators and their applications. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/osterhoff-elected-fellow-of-the-american-physical-society/

We're #hiring Laser Support Engineer! Come join ATAP Division at Berkeley Lab and work on laser-plasma accelerators and #ParticleAccelerator research. Check out Requisition 107648. Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/work-with-us/careers/

In the October ATAP News, learn about advances in laser-plasma accelerators, a new compact radio-frequency #ParticleAccelerator design, and the deployment of #SuperIntelligence to support particle-accelerator research. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/atap-newsletter/

Congratulations to Lulu Russell, a graduate student at our BELLA Center, who received an award for a “lightning” talk based on their poster at the 2026 LaserNetUS meeting in Rochester, New York, July 13–15. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/sUyt50ZFU8l

“There’s something rewarding about walking people through the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind what we do,” says our Staff Scientist Kei Nakamura, reflecting on showing student interns the BELLA Center laser facility at Berkeley Lab. Department of Energy https://ow.ly/7nRq50ZXqlP

Congratulations to Anthony Vazquez, a graduate student at our BELLA Center, who received a student poster award at this year’s Advanced Accelerator Concepts Workshop, held in Los Angeles, California, July 26–31. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/7eAP50ZFUv8

Learn how new research from our BELLA Center scientists could pave the way for compact, high-brightness, and tunable photon sources for applications in photonuclear diagnostics, nonproliferation, and national security. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/RR2z50ZFTlG

Learn how our researchers & colleagues from the Berkeley Lab Energy Geosciences Division developed an open-source platform for accurate, reliable, & real-time distributed fiber sensing used in #ParticleAccelerators & beyond. Department of Energy - Earth and Environmental Sciences at Berkeley Lab

Our researchers and collaborators developed a method to detect chaotic particle trajectories in circular #ParticleAccelerators, accelerating a time-consuming step in accelerator design. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy - University of Michigan - Stanford University https://ow.ly/Pt3n50ZFTUu

Led by Berkeley Lab scientists, the Department of Energy SI Genesis Mission-funded Multi-Office Accelerator Team Core Project will use #SuperIntelligence to improve the design and operation of #ParticleAccelerators, supporting advances in science. https://ow.ly/ITRU50ZVZBo

Congratulations to our research scientist, Dan Wang, on receiving a Department of Energy Early Career Research Award. Wang’s research will apply #SuperIntelligence to real-time control of #ParticleAccelerators and high-power lasers. Berkeley Lab https://ow.ly/nwn250ZVE1Q

Our September All-to-All meeting featured a talk on compact soft X-ray FELs driven by laser-plasma accelerators, a presentation on respect, and a talk on tick prevention at Berkeley Lab. Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/seminars-and-events/all-to-all-meetings/2026-all-to-all-meetings/

As part of the Berkeley Lab ALS-United series, learn how Senior Scientist Fernando Sannibale ensures the reliable operation of the Advanced Light Source and is helping upgrade the facility as part of the ALS-U project. https://atap.lbl.gov/news/als-united-elmie-peoples-evans-and-fernando-sannibale/

“Years of research at Berkeley Lab have produced the technologies that make this project possible,” says our Senior Scientist Anthony Gonsalves about new research that aims to develop a transportable muon imager. Department of Energy https://ow.ly/UJJa50ZFUmX

Learn how Berkeley Lab is providing @uhmanoa.bsky.social students with hands-on opportunities, enabling them to conduct experiments, analyze #qubits, compare model predictions, and publish their findings. Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/university-of-hawaii-students-intern-at-atap/

"The biggest piece of advice I have is to embrace the collaborative aspects of the Lab,” says George Fraley, our principal resource analyst, who kindly shared his experiences working at Berkeley Lab. Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/3q4-george-fraley/

Discover how our researchers have teamed up with Berkeley Lab's Engineering Division to develop high-power lasers for advanced #ParticleAccelerators and a broad range of applications across science, industry, medicine, and defense. . Department of Energy https://ow.ly/eQfj50Zn6cH

Our researchers are working with the Berkeley Lab Engineering Division to develop a new #superconducting elliptical magnet, laying the groundwork for compact, higher-power #ParticleAccelerators & future muon collider. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/ig8E50ZesZh

Learn how our researchers & collaborators are using #ArtificialIntelligence to make #ParticleAccelerators smarter & more powerful through Department of Energy's AI Genesis Mission. Berkeley Lab - @fermilab.bsky.social - @brookhavenlab.bsky.social

“It opens the door to engineering new materials that would affect the fusion rate,” says our Arun Persaud, about new research on #materials-driven #fusion. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy - UC Davis https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2026/07/23/when-it-comes-to-fusion-materials-matter/

Celebrating our incredible postdocs at Berkeley Lab! 🎉 Their brilliance, dedication, & collaborative spirit make a meaningful impact everyday. Here’s to the diligence, creativity, & good energy that make the ATAP postdocs so special! 🎉 Department of Energy https://ow.ly/P3qK50ZR26v

“We’re pushing it into new high-temperature superconductor territory, where almost every design choice lets us genuinely innovate,” says Penelope Quassolo, working in our Superconducting Magnet Program. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/graduate-students-work-at-atap/

Our August All-to-All meeting featured a science talk on enhanced nuclear fusion, an update from our IPO office, a presentation on appreciation as a core stewardship value, and changes to the Berkeley Lab access process. Department of Energy - UC Davis https://ow.ly/aS0S50ZIStf

“There’s something rewarding about walking people through the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind what we do,” says our BELLA Center Staff Scientist Kei Nakamura, reflecting on showing student interns the center’s laser facilities. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/GH6G50ZFUCN

Congratulations to Anthony Vazquez, a graduate student at our BELLA Center, who received a student poster award at this year’s Advanced Accelerator Concepts Workshop, held in Los Angeles, California, July 26–31. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/7eAP50ZFUv8

“Working at Berkeley Lab is both a privilege and a distinctive experience,” says Jean-François Croteau, a research scientist in our Superconducting Magnet Program, reflecting on his time at the Lab. Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/3q4-jean-francois-croteau/

“Years of research at Berkeley Lab have produced the technologies that make this project possible,” says our Senior Scientist Anthony Gonsalves about new research that aims to develop a transportable muon imager. Department of Energy https://ow.ly/UJJa50ZFUmX

Congratulations to Lulu Russell, a graduate student at our BELLA Center, who received an award for a “lightning” talk based on their poster at the 2026 LaserNetUS meeting in Rochester, New York, July 13–15. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/sUyt50ZFU8l

Our researchers and collaborators developed a method to detect chaotic particle trajectories in circular #ParticleAccelerators, accelerating a time-consuming step in accelerator design. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy - University of Michigan - Stanford University https://ow.ly/Pt3n50ZFTUu

“Working at Berkeley Lab is exceptionally rewarding; the institutional support and technical collaborations across groups are unparalleled,” says our BELLA Center Project Scientist Sarah Schröder, reflecting on her time at the Lab. Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/3q4-sarah-schroder/

Learn how new research from our BELLA Center scientists could pave the way for compact, high-brightness, and tunable photon sources for applications in photonuclear diagnostics, nonproliferation, and national security. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/RR2z50ZFTlG

“We are combining numerical methods and #ArtificialIntelligence to transform the design, testing, and operation of future #fusion reactors,” says Jean-Luc Vay, our Advanced Modeling Program head, about advances in #fusion. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/O9BX50ZFThw

Our August All-to-All meeting featured a science talk on enhanced nuclear fusion, an update from our IPO office, a presentation on appreciation as a core stewardship value, and changes to the Berkeley Lab access process. Department of Energy - UC Davis https://ow.ly/aS0S50ZIStf

Learn how our researchers & collaborators are using #ArtificialIntelligence to make #ParticleAccelerators smarter & more powerful through Department of Energy's AI Genesis Mission. Berkeley Lab - @fermilab.bsky.social - @brookhavenlab.bsky.social

Our researchers use Accelerator Assistant, the first #ArtificialIntelligence system based on large language models, to enhance multi-stage experiments at the Berkeley Lab Advanced Light Source Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/agentic-ai-enables-advanced-light-source-experiments/

As part of the Berkeley Lab ALS-United series, learn how Senior Scientist Fernando Sannibale ensures the reliable operation of the Advanced Light Source and is helping upgrade the facility as part of the ALS-U project. https://atap.lbl.gov/news/als-united-elmie-peoples-evans-and-fernando-sannibale/

Check out our latest newsletter for advances in #fusion research, a compact photon source for high-resolution imaging, and a novel method that could accelerate the design and operation of #ParticleAccelerators. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/atap-newsletter/

"What I enjoy most about my role is the sense of contribution,” says Chris Gonzalez, a facilities area manager in Berkeley Lab's Facilities Division, about his work overseeing and supporting the buildings where our employees work. Department of Energy https://ow.ly/pl2m50ZhF3E

A new imaging technology developed by us can create accurate, detailed 3D geochemical maps of the subsurface, promising progress in a number of fields.. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/a-new-imager-could-help-unearth-the-mineral-wealth-of-planets-and-asteroids/

Today is Berkeley Lab Founder’s Day! On this date in 1931, E.O. Lawrence got a UCB building for R&D on his invention, the #cyclotron. We are proud to carry on his legacy of #particleaccelerators and team science. Department of Energy - UC Berkeley

Our researchers continually operated a laser-plasma accelerator-driven free-electron laser for an unprecedented 8 hours, promising new light sources for science, medicine, and industry. https://atap.lbl.gov/news/milestone-in-free-electron-lasers-marks-progress-toward-next-generation-light-sources/

Discover how we are working with Berkeley Lab's Advanced Quantum Testbed & NVIDIA to develop advanced #ArtificialIntelligence-enhanced #quantum experiments, securing U.S. leadership in scientific discovery and innovation. Department of Energy https://aqt.lbl.gov/2026/03/16/hybrid-quantum-nvidia/

A course on #ParticleAccelerators at UC Berkeley taught by our Staff Scientist Simon Leemann and Senior Scientist Carl Schroeder, is helping to foster the next generation of accelerator scientists and engineers. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://ow.ly/p0Jr50Zh8K1

Learn how our researchers & colleagues from the Berkeley Lab Energy Geosciences Division developed an open-source platform for accurate, reliable, & real-time distributed fiber sensing used in #ParticleAccelerators & beyond. Department of Energy - Earth and Environmental Sciences at Berkeley Lab

Researchers at Berkeley Lab are driving technological innovations and advancements in theory to help unlock the potential of #fusionenergy, which promises abundant, reliable energy. Department of Energy - LBNL Nuclear Science Division - Berkeley Lab Engineering Division https://ow.ly/JsfB50YZbnK

We use high-energy ion beams to create a chain of color-center qubits in diamond, promising advances in #quantum computing, & sensing technologies to progress #fusion. Berkeley Lab - Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/color-center-qubits-could-illuminate-the-path-to-a-quantum-future/

Thanks for 2026 Multi-Lab Safety Week successful by highlighting best practices in safety during scientific exploration and beyond. Berkeley Lab - Berkeley Lab Engineering Division - @fermilab.bsky.social - @brookhavenlab.bsky.social - Department of Energy https://atap.lbl.gov/news/mlsw2026/