The Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) was formed in June 1977 and has been at the forefront of scientific discovery since the middle of the 20th century. The BES research programs are rooted in the Nation’s research efforts to win World War II that predate the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission in 1946. The goals of the early U.S. science programs that evolved into BES were to explore fundamental phenomena, create scientific knowledge, and provide unique user facilities necessary for conducting basic research. These overarching goals have not changed.
The archives of BES scientific highlights reflect the rich history of the BES program. The selected highlights are representative of the broad range of studies supported in the BES program. Division accomplishments are included among the following compellations of BES highlights.