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Scientists Take a Deep Dive Into the Imperfect World of 2D Materials

Researchers combined a toolbox of techniques to home in on natural, nanoscale defects formed in the manufacture of monolayer WS2, measuring their electronic effects in detail not possible before. The latest result marks the first comprehensive study at the ALS involving nanoARPES, which researchers enlisted to probe the 2D samples with x-rays. Read more »

Plumbing the Depths of Interfaces and Finding Buried Treasure

Understanding the interfaces where solids and liquids meet is key to controlling a wide range of energy-relevant processes, from how batteries store energy to how metals corrode, and more.  Now researchers have explored such interfaces and found what they describe as a treasure trove of unexpected results that expands our understanding of working interfaces and how to probe them. Read more »

How to Catch a Magnetic Monopole in the Act

A research team has created a nanoscale “playground” on a chip that simulates the formation of exotic magnetic particles called “monopoles.” The study could unlock the secrets to ever-smaller, more powerful memory devices, microelectronics, and next-generation hard drives that employ the power of magnetic spin to store data. Read more »

Winter 2019 Shutdown Recap

A two-month scheduled shutdown of the ALS is nearly complete. It allowed significant progress on two new beamlines under construction, QERLIN and Gemini, and also saw the completion of a long-term project to upgrade the storage ring’s radio frequency (rf) system. The facility should return to user operations as scheduled on February 28. Read more »

February 2019 Message from the UEC

Fanny Rodolakis, the chair of the Users’ Executive Committee (UEC) for 2019, reports on the most recent UEC meeting and calls for speaker suggestions for this year’s User Meeting. Read more »

Salt in the Amazon Air Comes from Local Fungi

The abundant salt in the atmosphere above the Amazon basin has long been attributed to the Atlantic Ocean. But now, using the Advanced Light Source, scientists have found that much of it originates much more locally: fungal spores in the rainforest. Pinpointing the origin will improve climate models and understanding of rainforest ecosystems. Read more »

Meteorites Suggest Galvanic Origins for Martian Organic Carbon

Nanoscale analyses of Martian meteorites suggest that organic carbon on Mars may have been formed by electrochemical reactions between briny liquids and volcanic minerals, as might occur in a galvanic cell. The study has major implications for astrobiology and could also shed light on the reactions that led to life on the early Earth. Read more »

ALS Tips Hat to 10 Years of Top-Off

In February, the ALS marked the 10th anniversary of one of the biggest upgrades in its history: the transition to “top-off mode,” which took place on February 11, 2009. To celebrate, the ALS community gathered for ring-shaped pastries (i.e., donuts) and coffee (topping off allowed). Brief remarks were given by Steve Kevan and Dave Robin. Read more »