The R&D Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) in Building 912 is a proof of principle experiment toward eRHIC. It consists of a superconducting RF (SRF) electron gun, designed for up to 0.5 amperes CW at 2 MeV, and 5-cell SRF accelerating cavity designed for 20 MeV energy gain in the ERL. The facility includes a high quantum efficiency photocathode development laboratory.
The STAR detector specializes in tracking the thousands of particles produced by each ion collision at RHIC. It is used to search for signatures of the form of matter that RHIC was designed to create: the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). Detecting and understanding the QGP allows us to understand better the universe in the moments after the Big Bang, where the symmetries (and lack of symmetries) of our surroundings were put into motion. Unlike other physics experiments where a theoretical idea can be tested directly by a single measurement, STAR must make use of a variety of simultaneous studies in order to draw strong conclusions abou the QGP. This is due both to the complexity of the system formed in high-energy nuclear collisions and the unexplored landscape of the physics being studied.
Superconducting Magnet Division
The Superconducting Magnet Division designs and builds varied superconducting magnets for use in both particle accelerators and experimental facilities throughout the world. Current projects include the HTS solenoid for BNL's Energy Recovery LINAC, e Lens Solenoid LARP, APUL, correctors for J-PARC, Linear Collider Final Focus and high field magnet research and developement.
NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven (NSRL)
From 1995 until 2002, Brookhaven Lab researchers and their colleagues used beams of heavy ions for radiobiology research at another Brookhaven accelerator. To simulate the less than 1-GeV energy spectrum of galactic cosmic rays and solar radiation better, NASA and Brookhaven have worked together since 1997 to build the NSRL based at the Booster accelerator.
Within the NSRL Target Room, Brookhaven researchers and other NASA-sponsored scientists irradiate a variety of biological specimens, tissues, and cells, as well as DNA in solution. Other experimenters use industrial materials as samples, studying their suitability for space suits and spacecraft shielding.
In increasing knowledge of the effects of cosmic radiation, NSRL studies may expand the understanding of the link between ionizing radiation and aging or neuro-degeneration, as well as cancer. In aiming to limit the damage to healthy tissue by ionization, NSRL research may also lead to improvements in cancer radiation treatments.
