Change a Light Pledge

by Luda Fieguth, SLAC Energy Conservation Program Manager

On October 4th, the Department of Energy (DOE) kicked off the Change a Light campaign in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Each DOE employee is asked to save energy by replacing one or more incandescent bulbs in their home with ENERGY STAR qualified, compact fluorescent bulbs. Dr. Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ray Orbach, Under Secretary for Science, and Dr. Jonathan Dorfan, our Director, request your full support for this energy-efficiency initiative, which will run through November 31.

"This is everybody's opportunity to really do something to help the environment," said Greg Loew. "If every man, woman and child in California were to replace two of the 75 watt incandescent light bulbs we normally use every evening with these qualified compact fluorescent bulbs, this would reduce the power demand on our grid by close to 10% during those hours."

The DOE has set up a website where pledges to replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR bulbs can be made. Read more...

How the Mind Tricks Us

by Eric Mazur

(Photo - eye)
Gravitational waves, predicted to exist by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity but as yet undetected, are expected to be emitted during violent astrophysical events such as supernovae, black hole interactions and the coalescence of compact binary systems. Their detection and study should lead to a new branch of astronomy.

In Monday's Colloquium, Stanford's Norna Robertson will give an introduction to the topic of gravitational wave detection and, in particular, review the status of the LIGO project, which is currently taking data. Robertson will also look to the future to consider planned improvements in sensitivity for such detectors, focusing on Advanced LIGO, the proposed upgrade to the LIGO project. All are invited to attend.

International Linear Collider Design Advanced with MathWorks Tools

from MathWorks

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is expected to enable researchers and particle physicists to answer questions about the origins of mass, the existence of additional dimensions in the universe, and the nature of gravity. Comprised of two linear accelerators, each 20 kilometers long, the ILC accelerates beams of electrons and positrons toward each other to produce collision energies of up to 1,000 Giga-electron volts. To ensure the two beams are aligned, the ILC must be designed with extreme accuracy. Read more...

LCLS Construction Site
Strictly Off Limits

by Jonathan Dorfan

(Image courtesy of Diana Rogers.)

Excavation is well under way for the Linac Coherent Light Source, and the construction site along PEP Ring Road and on the overlook is active with earth movers and heavy equipment. This construction site represents an extreme danger to anyone who is not directly involved in the excavation and, without exception, unauthorized SLAC employees must stay away from the construction zones. Indeed, no person is allowed within the LCLS construction site unless escorted by a member of the Turner Construction Company staff. A dozen heavy construction vehicles are crossing PEP Ring Road every 30 seconds. An individual in the wrong place at the wrong time could result in a severe injury or a fatality.

Over the past week, as many as six curious onlookers have strayed into the demarcated construction zones. I understand that it is tempting to venture out for a "peek" at the activity - the work is unusual and interesting. However, doing so violates the construction safety regulations. In addition to the safety concerns, breaking the integrity of the construction site boundaries could force costly work stoppages.

Safety is always SLAC's top priority, and reinforcing this during LCLS construction is imperative. I urge your full support to ensure that no-one enters the construction zones unless specifically authorized by Turner so that neither you, your coworkers, or the construction workers are put in harm's way.

Events (see all | submit)

October 6: (11:30 a.m.) WorkLife Office Celebrates Work and Family Month
October 9: (4:15 p.m.) Colloquium: How the Mind Tricks Us

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Champagne Moments Physics Web
First Quantum Teleportation between Light and Matter Max Planck Society

<% Response.AddHeader "Last-modified", getArticleDate() 'Response.AddHeader "Last-modified","Mon, 01 Sep 1997 01:03:33 GMT" 'Monday, December 06, 2010 %>

View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.

Change a Light Pledge by Luda Fieguth, SLAC Energy Conservation Program Manager On October 4th, the Department of Energy (DOE) kicked off the Change a Light campaign in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Each DOE employee is asked to save energy by replacing one or more incandescent bulbs in their home with ENERGY STAR qualified, compact fluorescent bulbs. Dr. Samuel W. Bodman, Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ray Orbach, Under Secretary for Science, and Dr. Jonathan Dorfan, our Director, request your full support for this energy-efficiency initiative, which will run through November 31. "This is everybody's opportunity to really do something to help the environment," said Greg Loew. "If every man, woman and child in California were to replace two of the 75 watt incandescent light bulbs we normally use every evening with these qualified compact fluorescent bulbs, this would reduce the power demand on our grid by close to 10% during those hours." The DOE has set up a website where pledges to replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR bulbs can be made. Read more...

How the Mind Tricks Us by Eric Mazur Gravitational waves, predicted to exist by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity but as yet undetected, are expected to be emitted during violent astrophysical events such as supernovae, black hole interactions and the coalescence of compact binary systems. Their detection and study should lead to a new branch of astronomy. In Monday's Colloquium, Stanford's Norna Robertson will give an introduction to the topic of gravitational wave detection and, in particular, review the status of the LIGO project, which is currently taking data. Robertson will also look to the future to consider planned improvements in sensitivity for such detectors, focusing on Advanced LIGO, the proposed upgrade to the LIGO project. All are invited to attend. International Linear Collider Design Advanced with MathWorks Tools from MathWorks The International Linear Collider (ILC) is expected to enable researchers and particle physicists to answer questions about the origins of mass, the existence of additional dimensions in the universe, and the nature of gravity. Comprised of two linear accelerators, each 20 kilometers long, the ILC accelerates beams of electrons and positrons toward each other to produce collision energies of up to 1,000 Giga-electron volts. To ensure the two beams are aligned, the ILC must be designed with extreme accuracy. Read more...	LCLS Construction Site Strictly Off Limits by Jonathan Dorfan (Image courtesy of Diana Rogers.) Excavation is well under way for the Linac Coherent Light Source, and the construction site along PEP Ring Road and on the overlook is active with earth movers and heavy equipment. This construction site represents an extreme danger to anyone who is not directly involved in the excavation and, without exception, unauthorized SLAC employees must stay away from the construction zones. Indeed, no person is allowed within the LCLS construction site unless escorted by a member of the Turner Construction Company staff. A dozen heavy construction vehicles are crossing PEP Ring Road every 30 seconds. An individual in the wrong place at the wrong time could result in a severe injury or a fatality. Over the past week, as many as six curious onlookers have strayed into the demarcated construction zones. I understand that it is tempting to venture out for a "peek" at the activity - the work is unusual and interesting. However, doing so violates the construction safety regulations. In addition to the safety concerns, breaking the integrity of the construction site boundaries could force costly work stoppages. Safety is always SLAC's top priority, and reinforcing this during LCLS construction is imperative. I urge your full support to ensure that no-one enters the construction zones unless specifically authorized by Turner so that neither you, your coworkers, or the construction workers are put in harm's way.	Events (see all \| submit) October 6: (11:30 a.m.) WorkLife Office Celebrates Work and Family Month October 9: (4:15 p.m.) Colloquium: How the Mind Tricks Us Access (see all) Sector 10 Alignment Vault Access Road / North Gallery Utility Roads Bldg 084 GLAST ISOC facility construction Bldg 084 Parking Spaces Closure Power Outages: Research Yard/SSRL Alpine Gate & PEP Ring Road closed Gates 17 & 30 open 24-7 Research Yard bisected A&E ADA restroom renovation Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements Vendor Exhibits 10/12/06 2-4 pm SSRL User Research Poster Session 10/12/06 1:30-2:30 pm Employees urged to apply for health-care subsidy (SLAC deadline 10/11/06) Stress Management Course Oct. 18 Community Bulletin Board Kyler England Concert at Mission Coffee in Fremont Substance Abuse Recovery Support Group Upcoming HIP Environmental classes Steve Ritz, Project Scientist for GLAST, to give public lecture Mimi Blais: Ragtime Benefit Concert Diwali Mela 2006 at SLAC Memorial Service to Honor Melvin Schwartz News (see all \| submit) Champagne Moments Physics Web First Quantum Teleportation between Light and Matter Max Planck Society
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<% Response.AddHeader "Last-modified", getArticleDate() 'Response.AddHeader "Last-modified","Mon, 01 Sep 1997 01:03:33 GMT" 'Monday, December 06, 2010 %> View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.