Photon Science Division Mission

The Photon Science Division (PSD) operates two User Facilities, i.e. the Swiss Light Source (SLS) and the Swiss Hard X-ray Free Electron Laser (SwissFEL). Access for external users to the facilities is granted by scientific excellence through a peer review process. Research is performed by external users as well as by PSI scientists.

For construction and maintenance of the beamlines, the Photon Science Division (PSD) closely collaborates with groups from other divisions at the Paul Scherrer Institut. Researchers at the Laboratory for Micro- and Nanotechnology (LMN) are covering the broad spectrum of research activities from basic research in nanoscience over the development of new methods and instrumentation in collaboration with the Photon Science Division (PSD) laboratories.

The Photon Science Division consists of seven laboratories:

• Three laboratories, namely the Laboratory for Macromolecules and Bioimaging (LSB), the Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Condensed Matter (LSC) and the Laboratory for Synchrotron Radiation and Femtochemistry (LSF) are centered around the Swiss Light Source (SLS) and the Swiss Hard X-ray Free Electron Laser (SwissFEL)
• The Laboratory for X-ray Nanoscience and Technologies (LXN) operates both cleanroom facilities as well as a beamline at the Swiss Light Source (SLS)
• The Laboratory for Advanced Spectroscopy and X-ray Sources (LSX) as well as the Laboratory for Non-linear Optics (LNO) are dedicated to provide experimental capabilities in diverse areas of science at the Swiss Hard X-ray Free Electron Laser (SwissFEL)
• The Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Technologies (LNQ) is dedicated to fundamental and applied research, focusing on the synergies of nanotechnology and quantum science.

About 250 scientists and technicians, including approximately 55 postdocs and 30 PhD students build the team of the Photon Science Division.