## The Link Authentication Element

The [Link Authentication Element](/payments/link/accept-a-payment.md) is
an embeddable component for collecting email addresses and allow users to
log into Link on your checkout page.

## Create the Link Authentication Element

This method creates an instance of the Link Authentication Element.

**Syntax:** `elements.create(...)`

- `type` ('linkAuthentication') **required**
  The type of Element being created, which is `linkAuthentication` in this case.

- `options` (object)
  Options for creating the Link Authentication Element.

  - `defaultValues` (object)
    Provide the initial contact information that will be displayed in the Link Authentication Element.
The form will render with empty fields if not provided.

    - `email` (string)

### Create a Link Authentication Element

```js
var linkAuthenticationElement = elements.create('linkAuthentication');
```

```es_next
const linkAuthenticationElement = elements.create('linkAuthentication');
```

## Get a Link Authentication Element

This method retrieves a previously created Link Authentication Element.

`elements.getElement('linkAuthentication')` returns one of the following:

* An instance of a Link Authentication Element.
* `null`, when no Link Authentication Element has been created.

**Syntax:** `elements.getElement(...)`

- `type` ('linkAuthentication') **required**
  The type of Element being retrieved, which is `linkAuthentication` in this case.

### Get a Link Authentication Element

```js
var linkAuthenticationElement = elements.getElement('linkAuthentication');
```

```es_next
const linkAuthenticationElement = elements.getElement('linkAuthentication');
```