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.
From Popular Science, November 24, 2021: The Popular Science writing staff compiled short stories of fun and interesting science stories they have covered. Included in this quirky series is the story of how Felicia the ferret helped clean accelerator tubes at Fermilab and the 2006 raccoon invasion in the Linac gallery.
From PBS, October 6, 9:00 pm CT: Tune in to the PBS premiere of Particles Unknown-the hunt for the universe’s most common yet elusive particle, this Wednesday on your local PBS channel. Starting with Ray Davis’ quest for neutrinos that began in 1965, Nova explores Fermilab’s search for sterile neutrinos and interviews Sam Zeller and Angela Fava from the Neutrino Division. Check your local PBS station programming to confirm the date and time of Particles Unknown.
From WORT 89.9 FM-Madison WI, Aug. 26, 2021: General Counsel for Fermilab, John Myer, talks with 89.9 FM hosts, Ankur Malhotra and Austin Exum, about the major projects and practical applications of the research performed at Fermilab.
From the Black Hills Pioneer, Aug. 21, 2021: The former Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD was dedicated as the M. Michael Rounds Operations Center at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. The dedication event included remarks from many dignitaries including Sanford Lab Executive Director Mike Headley, who talked about the long journey it has been to support the new facility and that Sanford Lab has made great strides toward building the LBNF that will house the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment at 4,850 level, led by Fermilab.
A new fellowship created by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory will provide engineering students in underrepresented groups in STEM immersive learning experiences on world-leading particle accelerator projects at Fermilab, starting with the new PIP-II accelerator that will power the world’s most intense neutrino beam. Applications for 2022 open September 2021.
From Forbes, June 1, 2021: Fermilab’s Don Lincoln explains how researchers use observations of high energy particles to better understand rare astronomical phenomena such as black holes, supernovae, colliding stars, and other cosmic calamities.
From EIN Presswire, May 14, 2021; LBNL’s LArPix experiment result is a leap forward in how to detect and record signals in liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs), a technology of choice for future neutrino and dark matter experiments such as Fermilab’s DUNE.
From the Cornell Chronicle, March 16, 2021: Fermilab’s Sam Posen has joined the Center for Bright Beams to develop the next generation of superconducting materials that will greatly reduce the costs associated with operating large particle accelerators and lessen their environmental impact.
From Mirage, March 15, 2021: Sam Posen, scientist and deputy division head at Fermi and affiliate at CBB is included this story on creating more environmentally friendly accelerators for the future.