Elementary-Particle Physics Revealing the Secrets of Energy and Matter (1998) / Chapter Skim
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10 Elementary-Particle Physics in Today's Society
10 Elementary-Particle Physics in Today's Society
Pages 135-150
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From page 135... ...
It includes discussions of how the field evolved, the role of universities and national laboratories, the effect of the demise of the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) , demographics and career advancement paths, governance, education, and public outreach.
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From page 136... ...
During the 1950s, as the complexities of particle interactions and the rich spectra of meson and nucleon states began to unfold, elementary-particle physics diverged from nuclear physics and became a distinct field. The need for higher particle beam energies required larger accelerators and correspondingly larger detectors and experimental facilities.
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From page 137... ...
The efficiency of this form of cooperation between federally funded laboratories and the research community in universities played an important role in making the United States the undisputed world leader in particle physics through most of the past 50 years. Four elementary-particle physics accelerator laboratories are operating in the United States today: Brookhaven National Laboratory, which has been in operation since 1947; and Fermilab, SLAC, and the Wilson Laboratory at Cornell University, which were all constructed over the 15-year period between 1957 and 1972.
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From page 138... ...
elementary-particle physics community as the cornerstone of continued U.S. world leadership in particle physics into the twenty-first century.
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From page 139... ...
In any event it is clear that the ground rules governing the support of forefront basic research have changed. Among the lessons that might be drawn from the SSC experience are that a multibillion-dollar forefront facility can be undertaken only as a truly international project; that speaking clearly, frequently, and at the right level to the public on the research goals and opportunities in such projects is the duty of the physics community; and that multiyear funding and full authorization of projects are important to ensure stability.
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From page 140... ...
, which now operates several astronomical observatories as well as the Space Telescope Science Institute at the Johns Hopkins University, and by forming the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) to operate the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (formerly known as CEBAF)
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From page 141... ...
Funding agencies make periodic reviews of the physics research and technology development work of the laboratories. At Brookhaven, Fermilab, and SLAC, external university users have formed user organizations.
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From page 142... ...
One significant difference between, for example, astronomers sharing a large telescope and particle physicists sharing a large colliding-beam detector is that it is the custom for all of the members of a particle physics collaboration to review the final physics results and sign the papers, even though the data analysis has usually been done by a smaller group of physicists. This practice recognizes the vital contribution of all the physicists who built and operated the experiment.
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From page 143... ...
At the moment, for evaluating proposals at the international level, there is no advisory structure in place to make recommendations on the scientific merit, technical feasibility, or even the most appropriate accelerator laboratory for the execution of experimental proposals. International Cooperation Particle physics is a truly international undertaking.
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From page 144... ...
A few passages of the commentary from this panel's report are quoted below. In addition, a recent survey conducted by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory under the auspices of DOE, NSF, and the APS Division of Particles and Fields has developed a large amount of demographic information relating to trends in EPP.
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From page 145... ...
The locus of graduate education, the training ground for the future generation of high-energy physicists, is at the universities that combine education and research. The difficulties of university groups in carrying out independent and viable research has severe impacts on the quality of graduate education, and there are concerns about the training of the next generation of scientists.
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From page 146... ...
In a welcome response to these concerns, DOE has added three members to HEPAP who are explicitly charged with representing the views of universitybased physicists working at accelerator facilities in the United States, working at accelerator facilities abroad, and conducting non-accelerator-based research in elementary-particle physics. In addition, the most recently convened HEPAP subpanel has been charged with, among other things, examining and making recommendations concerning the health and strength of the university component of the EPP program.
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From page 147... ...
It is fully expected that priority choices will continue to be required over the next few years, and additional program reductions will occur as new facilities begin operation. Review of the Governance of the Field There is some concern within the EPP community that existing administrative structures may not have kept pace with the above changes.
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From page 148... ...
An appropriately constituted committee would work with the agencies to undertake a comprehensive review of the system of administration of the research program in elementary-particle physics, to study the implications of increased internationalization of the field, and to explore possible alternative administrative and advisory mechanisms to respond to the changing environment. EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY-PARTICLE PHYSICS When a country pursues excellence in particle physics research, there are many educational benefits.
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From page 149... ...
An example of an attempt to foster greater understanding among the general public of the meaning and significance of scientific results is the "plain English" program recently initiated by the DO experimental collaboration. As part of the normal publication process, collaborators explain new results and make clear how they fit into the picture of current particle physics research in language understandable to nonphysicists.
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From page 150... ...
CPEP conducts many workshops for teachers on how to use CPEP materials to teach particle physics. A more complete listing of elementary-particle physics education and outreach activities at universities and national laboratories may be found at hilts// www - ed.
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