Session E6: Accelerators for Sub-Atomic Physics: I. History

Cyclotrons: From Science to Human Health

Lawrence's invention of the cyclotron, whose 80th anniversary we have just celebrated, not only revolutionized nuclear physics, but proved the starting point for a whole variety of recirculating accelerators, from the smallest microtron to the largest synchrotron, that have had an enormous impact in almost every branch of science and in several areas of medicine and industry. Cyclotrons themselves have proved remarkably adaptable, incorporating a variety of new ideas and technologies over the years: frequency modulation, edge focusing, AG focusing, separate magnet sectors, axial and azimuthal injection, ring geometries, stripping extraction, superconducting magnets and rf...... Even FFAGs, those most complex members of the cyclotron (fixed-magnetic-field) family, are making a comeback. Currently there are more than 50 medium or large cyclotrons around the world devoted to research. These provide intense primary beams of protons or stable ions, and correspondingly intense secondary beams of neutrons, pions, muons and radioactive ions, for experiments in nuclear, particle and condensed-matter physics, and in the materials and life sciences. Far outnumbering these, however, are the 800 or so small and medium cyclotrons used to produce radioisotopes for medical and other purposes. In addition, a rapidly growing number of 230-MeV proton cyclotrons are being built for cancer therapy - 12 brought into operation since 1998 and as many more in the works. Altogether, cyclotrons are flourishing!   

Linear Accelerators - Principles, History, and Applications

An overview of the principles, history, and technology of linear accelerators is presented. Topics include accelerating structures, beam dynamics, superconducting linacs, linac applications, and some major linac facilities. Linear accelerators have made major contributions to physics research including neutron sources, colliding electron-positron beams, X-ray FELs, and heavy-ion rare-isotope beams. In addition electron linacs are used in hospitals around the world generating X-rays for radiation therapy, an application that represents one of the most significant spins-offs of high-energy and nuclear physics research.   

Proton-Antiproton Colliders

The two proton-antiproton colliders, the SppbarS at CERN and the Tevatron at Fermilab, have dominated the high energy frontier for the past 30 years and have made some of the most significant contributions to the understanding of the fundamental nature of matter, including the discovery of the W and Z bosons and the Top quark. They have both pushed technology to the limit. The Tevatron was the first large superconducting storage ring from which followed HERA at DESY, RHIC at BNL and finally the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. In this talk, a personal account of the trials and tribulations of running these very difficult machines will be given and their relevance to the design of the LHC discussed.