The Future of US Accelerator Science

1
The Future of US Accelerator Science Comments
from NSF

• Tony F. Chan
• Assistant Director
• MPS/NSF
• AAAS Chicago
• February 13, 2009

2
Accelerators, HEP, Light Sources

• LINAC

1962
Storage Rings
Advanced Photon Source
X-ray experiment on SPEAR 1973
International Linear Collider (ILC)
Energy Recovery LINAC (ERL) X-ray Free Electron
Laser (X- FEL)
Future
3
Accelerator Physics at NSF

• Physics Division is committed to advancing the
  frontiers of accelerator physics, e.g., NSCL, ERL
  (with DMR, CHE, OMA), ILC damping ring (with
  DOE-HEP), plasma wake-field acceleration, and
  other technologies. 10M investment in FY08
• Division of Materials Research is the steward of
  two University-based Synchrotron X-ray Light
  Source Facilities (CHESS and SRC) and supports
  RD for future coherent light sources. 12M
  investment in FY08
• Next-generation coherent light sources will be
  under consideration among future MREFC projects
  across NSF

4
Understanding NSFs Role in Providing Frontier
Facilities

• NSF supports universities to advance the
  frontiers across science and engineering
  disciplines
• A major emphasis is on the integration of
  education and research to develop technical
  leaders
• NSF is committed to providing major frontier
  facilities broadly, across its programs, from
  research vessels to telescopes to gravitational
  wave detectors, via an NSF-wide MREFC activity
• Partnerships are sought in the development of all
  major facilities

5
Community Input
MPS Advisory Panel on Light Sources, Report
Accepted by MPS Advisory Committee Nov. 2008,
with Main Recommendations
I. MREFC

• NSF must play a stewardship role in a University
  based 4th
• generation light source
• It must reflect the breadth of the science and
  engineering
• NSF must therefore involve multiple Directorates
  and Divisions, and partnership with other agencies

II. RD
Continue active user research programs where
next-generation light source RD work is being
pursued
III. Education
NSF has a unique education and training role
6
Issues and Challenges

• Accelerator Physics Drivers HEP and/or light
  sources?
• Education/training vs user facilities
• Multi-disciplinary both drivers users
• Inter-agencies
• International US plan?