Welcome to the 23rd Century
The linear accelerator was dedicated in September 1967, with the goal of answering the most fundamental of questions: Where did this universe come from, anyway? Housed below the Klystron Gallery, the linear accelerator stretches two miles in length, making the building one of the longest in the world.
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The Sandman Cometh
Weighing 4,000 tons, the SLAC Large Detector device was installed in 1991 to study electron-positron collisions. It was used by some 150 physicists until its retirement in 1998.
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Gr.dano black-and- gray knit jersey and wool dress ($375) at 440 Brannan Studio/Showroom, 415-957-1411. Anyi Lu black napa and patent-leather Paige pump ($445) at Arthur Beren, 415-397-8900. Joy O Designs 18K vermeil gold disk earrings ($78), gold-and-rose-gold-filled cuff bracelet ($68) and silver hammered bangles ($148/set of five), all at Studio 3579, 415-626-2533. Gretchen Walker bronze-and- sterling-silver poppy ring ($140) at the Mission Statement, 415-255-7457.
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Artificial Flavor black cotton French terry jacket ($115) at Azalea, 415-861-9888. Artificial Flavor white cotton jersey polo ($72) at Azalea. Distilled cotton-velvet pant ($187) at Nomads, 415-864-5692. Twenty Two Shoes black oiled- suede slip-on boot ($320) at Twenty Two Shoes, 415-409-2277.
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Approach and Identify
From the visitors' alcove, you can see the inner workings of the Klystron Gallery. Scientists and non-scientists alike can learn a thing or two from the SLAC public-lecture series, which addresses topics ranging from diamonds to dark energy. (Finally, your chance to ask those burning questions about Z particles.)
On Ryan: Distilled plaid cotton blazer ($286) and houndstooth cotton shirt with matching tie ($194), all at Nomads, 415-864-5692. On Alexis: Zoe Alexander iridescent nylon-and-silk Onyx dress ($850) at Silverman Gallery/Look Boutique, 415-255-9508. Gretchen Walker hammered-silver hoop earrings with strawberry quartz and iron pyrite ($143) at the Mission Statement, 415-255-7457. Colleen Mauer sterling-silver rings ($154/set of 10) at Secession Art and Design Gallery, 415-279-3058.
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"Lastday" Arrives
Photon science is the center's most rapidly developing area of research. Currently under construction at SLAC, the Linac Coherent Light Source will produce strobe-like X-rays, allowing scientists to freeze the motion of rapidly moving molecules. Due to be completed in 2009, the LCLS will be the world's first "hard" X-ray laser.
On Alexis: House of Hengst Ultrasuede dress ($302) at House of Hengst, 415-642-0841. Suzanne George made-to-measure wedge wingtip ($1,200–1,500) at Suzanne George, 415-775-1775. House of Hengst Ultrasuede Cameo glove ($90) at House of Hengst. Gretchen Walker lucite and silver-chain Fortune necklace ($126) at the Mission Statement, 415-255-7457. On Ryan: Estrella Tadeo black cotton-and-Lycra T-shirt ($69) at The Mission Statement. Turk+Taylor herringbone recycled-wool vest ($130) and teal recycled-wool trouser ($195) at turkandtaylor.com. Twenty Two Shoes brown leather slip-on ($300) at Twenty Two Shoes, 415-409-2277.
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Enter the Carousel
When the folks at SLAC aren't accelerating particles, they're processing data from such high-tech instruments as the Large Area Telescope. In carrying out Part of NASA's GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope) mission, researchers chart powerful gamma-ray bursts, looking for clues about cosmic rays and super-massive black-hole systems.
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We've Got a Runner
Just above the six-story-tall SLAC Large Detector, a narrow steel walkway takes researchers across the Collider Experimental Hall. Since the SLAC's completetion, six scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize for work carried out here.
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On Ryan: Distilled houndstooth cotton shirt with matching tie ($194) at Nomads, 415-864-5692 Turk+Taylor black organic-cotton denim trouser ($205) at turkandtaylor.com. Twenty Two Shoes black oiled-suede slip-on boot ($320) at Twenty Two Shoes, 415-409-2277. Black leather belt, stylist's own. On Alexis: Protea nude Tencel dress with mesh tank and patent- leather belt ($440) at Canvas, 415-924-4505. Twenty Two Shoes navy suede lace-up Zelda sandals ($300) at Twenty Two Shoes, 415-409-2277. Gretchen Walker printed floral brass hoop earrings ($78) at the Mission Statement, 415-255-7457. Joy O Designs hammered-silver bangles ($148/set of five) at Studio 3579, 415-626-2533. Colleen Mauer mixed-metal rings ($228/ set of seven) at Secession Art and Design Gallery, 415-279-3058.
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On Ryan: Hieros blue quilted jacket ($270) at 440 Brannan Studio/Showroom, 415-957-1411. Turk+Taylor red cotton T-shirt ($46) at AB Fits, 415-982-5726. Üba Wear black distressed cotton-canvas pant ($150) at RAG Co-op, 415-621-7718. Twenty Two Shoes black oiled- suede slip-on boots ($320) at Twenty Two Shoes, 415-409-2277. On Alexis: Sunhee Moon green cotton- sateen shirt-dress ($298) at Sunhee Moon, 415-355-1800. Colleen Mauer 14K-gold-filled wire hoop earrings ($94) at Secession Art and Design Gallery, 415-279-3058. Yugala Priti leather cuff ($16) at the Mission Statement, 415-255-7457. Metallic leather pumps, stylist's own.
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Looking For Sanctuary
In this field outside the Collider Experimental Hall, you’re just a mile away from the Stanford campus, but don't plan on dropping by after class without calling first: The university operates SLAC on behalf of the US Department of Energy.
On Ryan: Distilled short-sleeved cotton, wool and silk half-placket shirt ($176) and cotton-velvet pant in pumice ($187) at Nomads, 415-864-5692. Anna Andersson sterling-silver double-leaf necklace ($198) at Backspace, 415-355-1051. Scott Kawa vintage porn denim cuffs ($24 each) at Venus Superstar, 415-749-1978. Black leather belt, stylist’s own. On Alexis: House of Hengst quilted neoprene Ofcourset top ($286) and matching Form skirt ($324) at House of Hengst, 415-642-0841. Gretchen Walker Lucite-and-copper cuffs $62) at the Mission Statement, 415-255-7457. Anna Anderson sterling-silver single-leaf necklace ($150) at Backspace.
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