The scene: Scientist Jian Chen adjusts optics mounted for an experiment at one of several PULSE laser laboratories housed at SLAC. (PULSE is a joint SLAC/Stanford University laser science institute.)
In this experiment, a small fleck of sample material is held in a special “diamond anvil cell” and torqued to pressures up to 12 gigapascals—120,000 times greater than atmospheric pressure, similar to conditions deep inside the Earth. Chen and colleagues then use three separate, highly precise beams of pulsed laser light, bouncing variously through the specialized optics, to measure the behavior of electrons in the material under pressure. Experiments of this sort give scientists clues about the nature and dynamics of the atomic world that could aid in developing new materials with exotic properties.
The shot: Canon 5D Mk II, 17-35mm/f2.8L lens @ 17mm, f/7.1. ISO 200, 1/40 sec exposure. Three lights (all Speedlites), one triggered with a Pocket Wizard II, the others with optical slaves: one camera left (close, with a red gel), one camera right (at full power, to cast the hard shadows), and one camera left (farther from the camera, with grid, visible in frame) to illuminate Chen. Used a tripod and remote trigger for this one. (All while wearing the same goggles Chen is wearing… tough way to shoot!)