Raquel Fandos, an electrical engineer from CERN, in the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator control room at SLAC where she conducts experiments.

SLAC and CERN Collaborate in Testing a New Accelerator

by Maria José Viñas

Parts of the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC)—CERN's experimental project to accelerate electrons in a unique and powerful way—are currently being tested at SLAC. Raquel Fandos, an electrical engineer from CERN, is using SLAC's Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA) in Endstation B to conduct trials of prototype accelerator structures that would be used at CLIC. This research is part of the CLIC feasibility study expected to be completed in 2010.

Fandos' group at CERN wants to build radio-frequency accelerator structures that work at a gradient of 100 MV/m (accelerating electrons up to 100 MV per meter of machine) and produce 70-nanosecond pulses. "We have already reached those parameters with some structures," says Fandos. "However the breakdown probability is still too high, and we observe damage on the surface of the structures after a few weeks of testing." This is why Fandos is currently testing the sturdiness of different accelerator structures at the NLCTA, applying different combinations of pulse lengths and gradients in each trial to observe how many breakdowns occur in the devices in a certain period.

This is the third time in two-and-a-half years that CERN personnel have come to SLAC to test CLIC parts, and Fandos says the collaboration between the two centers will probably increase in the future. Although CLIC was initially designed to work at an accelerating frequency of 30 GHz (the same level at which the test facility at CERN works), CERN recently decided to switch CLIC's frequency to 12 GHz, very close to the 11.424 GHz at which NLCTA operates, making the facilities at SLAC uniquely suited for testing the components of CLIC.

Wellness Fair Tomorrow

by SLAC Today Staff

This year's Wellness Fair takes place tomorrow, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation on Stanford's main campus. This year's fair is co-hosted by the Benefits Department and the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, Recreation & Wellness group. Representatives at the fair will offer the chance to:

—Have your blood pressure, body fat, bone density, strength and flexibility, and cholesterol measured

—Test your fitness with a Stanford fitness trainer

—Enjoy healthy food demonstrations

—Try out stationary bikes, elliptical trainers and rowing machines

—Get a bike safety check

—Learn more about ergonomically correct workstations and healthy work postures

—Observe pilates, fencing, rock climbing, self-defense and yoga classes

All Stanford employees are highly encouraged to attend this event. Learn more...

Stanford Hosts Physics Teachers' Conference

by Susan Schultz

On Friday, May 4th, Vera Luth, Helen Quinn, and Susan Schultz hosted the opening ceremony and reception at SLAC for the Northern California American Association of Physics Teachers, a two-day conference at Stanford University. Helen Quinn kicked off the event with a guided tour of the visitor center; John Arthur presented a comprehensive overview of current SLAC research programs; and Tom Abel demonstrated his 3-D Tour of the Universe.

Photo of the day:
SPC Visits SLAC

The SLAC Policy Committee during their tour of SLAC last Friday. (Photos courtesy Diana Rogers.)

Kids' Day Brings Smiles To Kids and Adults Alike

by Alison Drain

Click the image above to view a video of Kids' Day 2006.

Five years ago, Craig Haggart, who works in the control room at SSRL, helped manage an electronics workshop at Kids' Day. He has run the workshop ever since, helping kids build their own electronic devices.

Each teenager participating in the Electronics II class receives hand tools and a soldering iron, and safety and soldering lessons. Two and a half hours later, they've built a device that's reasonably complex. In the past, the participants have made a voice changer, a digital thermostat, and an electronic dice decision maker; this year, Haggart's kids will build a voice detector with flashing LED lights.

Haggart spends hours throughout the year collecting and preparing parts that the workshop participants will manipulate into something that really works. For Haggart, it's more fun than work. "I really like building stuff," he said. "The kids and I have that in common."

To volunteer to help out at Kids' Day 2007, contact Michelle Steger at x3011.

Safety Seconds

by John Cornuelle

If you are climbing Mt. Hood or any other Cascade peak with notorious weather problems, you can rent a locator beacon that will enable searchers to follow the radio signal it emits. Or you can buy your own that talks to a satellite. The three climbers that died last December declined to carry these. They cost the enormous sum of $5 to rent.

Events (see all | submit)

May 8: (4:15 p.m.) Stanford Applied Physics Colloquium: From the Big Bang to the Nobel Prize and Beyond
May 8: (12:30 p.m.) Gravity Probe B: Testing Einstein at the Limits of Engineering
May 9: (10:00 a.m.) Wellness Fair
May 9: (3:30 p.m.) Access to Data and Literature: the Role of the ADS

Access (see all)

Announcements
(see all | submit)

Lab Announcements

Community Bulletin Board

View photos from Pief's birthday

News (see all | submit)

DOE Cures Pork Project With Peer Review Science
Michael Binger on the Perilous Transition from Physics to Poker
San Francisco Chronicle
Speckles Expose Magnet's Noisy Secrets Physics Web

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

Raquel Fandos, an electrical engineer from CERN, in the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator control room at SLAC where she conducts experiments. SLAC and CERN Collaborate in Testing a New Accelerator by Maria José Viñas Parts of the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC)—CERN's experimental project to accelerate electrons in a unique and powerful way—are currently being tested at SLAC. Raquel Fandos, an electrical engineer from CERN, is using SLAC's Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator (NLCTA) in Endstation B to conduct trials of prototype accelerator structures that would be used at CLIC. This research is part of the CLIC feasibility study expected to be completed in 2010. Fandos' group at CERN wants to build radio-frequency accelerator structures that work at a gradient of 100 MV/m (accelerating electrons up to 100 MV per meter of machine) and produce 70-nanosecond pulses. "We have already reached those parameters with some structures," says Fandos. "However the breakdown probability is still too high, and we observe damage on the surface of the structures after a few weeks of testing." This is why Fandos is currently testing the sturdiness of different accelerator structures at the NLCTA, applying different combinations of pulse lengths and gradients in each trial to observe how many breakdowns occur in the devices in a certain period. This is the third time in two-and-a-half years that CERN personnel have come to SLAC to test CLIC parts, and Fandos says the collaboration between the two centers will probably increase in the future. Although CLIC was initially designed to work at an accelerating frequency of 30 GHz (the same level at which the test facility at CERN works), CERN recently decided to switch CLIC's frequency to 12 GHz, very close to the 11.424 GHz at which NLCTA operates, making the facilities at SLAC uniquely suited for testing the components of CLIC.

Wellness Fair Tomorrow by SLAC Today Staff This year's Wellness Fair takes place tomorrow, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation on Stanford's main campus. This year's fair is co-hosted by the Benefits Department and the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, Recreation & Wellness group. Representatives at the fair will offer the chance to: —Have your blood pressure, body fat, bone density, strength and flexibility, and cholesterol measured —Test your fitness with a Stanford fitness trainer —Enjoy healthy food demonstrations —Try out stationary bikes, elliptical trainers and rowing machines —Get a bike safety check —Learn more about ergonomically correct workstations and healthy work postures —Observe pilates, fencing, rock climbing, self-defense and yoga classes All Stanford employees are highly encouraged to attend this event. Learn more... Stanford Hosts Physics Teachers' Conference by Susan Schultz On Friday, May 4th, Vera Luth, Helen Quinn, and Susan Schultz hosted the opening ceremony and reception at SLAC for the Northern California American Association of Physics Teachers, a two-day conference at Stanford University. Helen Quinn kicked off the event with a guided tour of the visitor center; John Arthur presented a comprehensive overview of current SLAC research programs; and Tom Abel demonstrated his 3-D Tour of the Universe.	Photo of the day: SPC Visits SLAC The SLAC Policy Committee during their tour of SLAC last Friday. (Photos courtesy Diana Rogers.) Kids' Day Brings Smiles To Kids and Adults Alike by Alison Drain Click the image above to view a video of Kids' Day 2006. Five years ago, Craig Haggart, who works in the control room at SSRL, helped manage an electronics workshop at Kids' Day. He has run the workshop ever since, helping kids build their own electronic devices. Each teenager participating in the Electronics II class receives hand tools and a soldering iron, and safety and soldering lessons. Two and a half hours later, they've built a device that's reasonably complex. In the past, the participants have made a voice changer, a digital thermostat, and an electronic dice decision maker; this year, Haggart's kids will build a voice detector with flashing LED lights. Haggart spends hours throughout the year collecting and preparing parts that the workshop participants will manipulate into something that really works. For Haggart, it's more fun than work. "I really like building stuff," he said. "The kids and I have that in common." To volunteer to help out at Kids' Day 2007, contact Michelle Steger at x3011. Safety Seconds by John Cornuelle If you are climbing Mt. Hood or any other Cascade peak with notorious weather problems, you can rent a locator beacon that will enable searchers to follow the radio signal it emits. Or you can buy your own that talks to a satellite. The three climbers that died last December declined to carry these. They cost the enormous sum of $5 to rent.	Events (see all \| submit) May 8: (4:15 p.m.) Stanford Applied Physics Colloquium: From the Big Bang to the Nobel Prize and Beyond May 8: (12:30 p.m.) Gravity Probe B: Testing Einstein at the Limits of Engineering May 9: (10:00 a.m.) Wellness Fair May 9: (3:30 p.m.) Access to Data and Literature: the Role of the ADS Access (see all) Alpine Gate & PEP Ring Road closed Gates 17 & 30 open 24-7 Research Yard bisected Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements Stanford Wellness Fair - May 9 Workshop: Selecting Mutual Funds Community Bulletin Board View photos from Pief's birthday News (see all \| submit) DOE Cures Pork Project With Peer Review Science Michael Binger on the Perilous Transition from Physics to Poker San Francisco Chronicle Speckles Expose Magnet's Noisy Secrets Physics Web
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	Tuesday - May 8, 2007