The Secretary of Energy toured America’s premier particle physics and accelerator laboratory and discussed cutting-edge research on neutrinos, accelerators, quantum information science and more.
Fermilab features
As part of the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, a UK-US collaboration is preparing for industrial scale production of large particle detector components. This fall, it’s taking the first ones for a final test-drive.
Large, powerful magnets are a vital component of particle accelerators. The general rule is, the stronger the magnetic field, the better. For many particle accelerator applications, it is as important how fast a magnet can reach its peak strength and then ramp down again. A team at Fermilab now has achieved the world’s fastest ramping rates for accelerator magnets using high-temperature superconductors.
Inspired by the achievements of Jim Gates, currently Ford Foundation professor and director of the Brown University Theoretical Physics Center, the new Fermilab Sylvester James Gates, Jr. Fellowship prioritizes the inclusion of first-generation college graduates, and the representation of historically and contemporarily minoritized individuals underrepresented in theoretical physics.
In accepting the invitation, the distinguished scientist and head of the lab’s Theory Division will join the ranks of notable inductees, such as Nobel laureates Bernardo Alberto Houssay, Luis Federico Leloir, César Milstein and former Fermilab Director Leon Lederman.
The University of Chicago Strategic Laboratory Leadership Program teaches leadership skills to up-and-coming staff and scientists at national labs. Launched as a pilot program in 2007 for scientists at Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, this fall, the training initiative kicks off to U.S. Department of Energy laboratories across the country.
Nigel Lockyer has received this prestigious award from the DOE’s Office of Science in recognition of his outstanding achievement and service to the nation through eight years as the director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
A little over a year into construction, the structure of the building that will house the cryogenic equipment for the PIP-II particle accelerator is largely complete.
Whether he is on the side of a mountain or working at the Fermilab Quantum Institute, Cristián Peña likes to explore the unknown and tackle new challenges. Although he spends most of his time working on quantum communication systems for FQI, Peña dedicates time to work on the CMS experiment. His work between the two experiments, while different in practice, are conceptually similar.
Accelerator experts at three national labs have advanced the next generation of cryomodules, the building blocks of particle accelerators. A prototype built for the high-energy upgrade of SLAC’s LCLS-II X-ray laser has advanced the state of the art, packing more acceleration into a smaller distance, and could dramatically improve future accelerators.