Accelerators for Discovery Science

Particle accelerators are foundational to discovery science and leading-edge physics as they allow researchers to probe the fundamental nature of matter and the universe. They help us understand subatomic particles and forces, leading to groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

There are two main avenues through which accelerators contribute to discovery science:

1. National Laboratories: Major research facilities like TRIUMF, SLAC, CERN, and Fermilab offer educational programs that allow students to engage with large-scale accelerator technologies and participate in cutting-edge research.
2. University-Based Accelerators: Hundreds of universities worldwide operate their own accelerators, such as single-ended or tandem accelerators from companies like NEC (National Electrostatics Corporation) and HVE (High Voltage Engineering). These accelerators are used for a variety of applications, including Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), Particle-Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE), Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS), Ion Beam Analysis (IBA), and carbon dating.

Examples of Large-Scale Centres

Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

The LHC at CERN is the world’s most powerful particle accelerator. It collides protons at high enough energies to explore fundamental particles like the Higgs boson. Its discoveries have reshaped our understanding of particle physics, particularly in supporting the Standard Model and exploring potential new physics beyond it.

High-Energy Physics (HEP) Experiments

Accelerators are crucial for high-energy physics experiments aimed at testing the limits of known theories. Facilities like Fermilab and SLAC produce particle collisions that help investigate phenomena such as dark matter, supersymmetry, and extra dimensions, pushing the boundaries of modern physics.

Neutrino Research

Neutrino accelerators are used to study the properties of neutrinos—one of the most elusive particles in the universe. Experiments like those conducted at Canada’s SNOLAB and Japan’s T2K facility help researchers understand neutrino oscillations and their role in the universe, potentially offering insights into the matter-antimatter imbalance.

Synchrotron Light Sources for Fundamental Studies

Synchrotron light sources provide high-energy X-rays for research in a range of fields, including physics, chemistry, and biology. They enable cutting-edge experiments that investigate the behaviour of matter under extreme conditions and aid in the discovery of new materials and states of matter.

Future Circular Collider (FCC)

The FCC is a proposed next-generation particle accelerator that would exceed the capabilities of the LHC. It is designed to explore even higher energy collisions, offering the potential to uncover new particles and forces. These new insights could potentially answer ongoing questions in particle physics and cosmology.

Antimatter Research

Accelerators facilitate the study of antimatter, particularly in facilities like CERN’s Antiproton Decelerator. By producing and studying antimatter particles, researchers can test fundamental symmetries and explore the potential for new physics.

Argonne National Laboratory – ATLAS Facility

Argonne National Laboratory’s ATLAS (Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System) is a leading facility for nuclear physics research in the United States.

ATLAS is a superconducting linear accelerator that delivers a wide range of ion beams, including all stable elements and selected radioactive isotopes. It enables researchers to investigate nuclear structure, astrophysics, and fundamental interactions at the edge of science.

Examples of Smaller University-Based Accelerators:

Australian National University (ANU)

ANU operates a Pelletron Tandem Accelerator with advanced terminal voltage stabilization. This facility is used for nuclear physics research and materials analysis.

Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory – University of Michigan

The University of Michigan houses the 1.7 MV Tandem Particle Accelerator known as “Maize.” This accelerator is utilized for ion beam analysis, materials modification, and radiation effects studies.

University of Tsukuba – 6 MV Tandem Accelerator

The University of Tsukuba in Japan operates a 6 MV Tandem Accelerator for various ion beam applications. This facility supports research in nuclear physics, materials science, and accelerator technology.

Canadian Centre for Particle Accelerator Computing (CCPAC) – Université de Montréal

CCPAC provides computational resources and educational programs related to particle accelerator science. Researchers engage in simulations and theoretical studies, completing services offered at larger facilities in Canada.