Particle Physics Benefits: Adding it Up
Stories abound about how particle physics benefits education, the economy, and society as a whole. Quantifying those benefits would help particle physics better demonstrate its value to the country.
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Editorial:
The Benefits of Particle PhysicsThe benefits of particle physics are myriad but the field must go beyond anecdotes to quantifiable data.
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Commentary:
Alan BoyleIn the past year, millions of people became interested in particle physics, drawn by a sense of wonder and fear of the unknown.
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Departments:
Signal to Background151-year-old recording sings for the first time; labs on Jeopardy!; fueling up on grass; cosmic rays point to better solar panels; electronic circuits with altitude; letters.
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Department:
symmetry breakingA summary of recent stories, published weekdays, in symmetry breaking, www.symmetrymagazine.org/breaking/
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Feature:
A Fearlessly Creative WorkforceMany of the people trained in particle physics move on to industry, where their skills are in high demand. There you can find a theorist exploring for oil or an accelerator scientist working on cancer treatments.
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Feature:
The Power of Proton TherapyWhen it comes to getting rid of cancer, the sharpest scalpel may be a proton beam. Technology conceived and hatched in high-energy physics is now treating thousands of patients per year, with fewer side effects.
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Snapshot:
LCLS ConstructionThe world’s first hard X-ray free electron laser takes shape at SLAC, where it will revolutionize research in drug development, green products, and industrial technology.
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Deconstruction:
MRIParticle physics played a key role in the life-saving medical technology known as Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Its detailed images of soft tissue nearly eliminated the need for exploratory surgery.
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Essay:
Jordan Sorokin"After visiting Fermilab, I know that I had only one passionate aspiration, one life-long quest: to become a physicist. The visit sparked an interest inside of me like an electrical wire jerking radically with every ounce of new knowledge."
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Logbook:
Superconducting MagnetsToday’s particle accelerators and MRI machines wouldn’t exist without superconducting electromagnets. The road to the first patent for this technology took nearly six decades and ended in a photo finish.
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Explain it in 60 Seconds:
Particle AcceleratorsParticle accelerators (often referred to as "atom smashers") use strong electric fields to push streams of subatomic particles—usually protons or electrons—to tremendous speeds. They’re used by the thousands worldwide in physics, medicine, and industry.
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What could a radial tire possibly have
in common with particle physics?
Accelerator technology. In physics, it
boosts particles to nearly the speed
of light; in industry, it’s used in creating
the materials that go into tires. As a
bonus, this avoids the use of solvents
that can pollute the environment.
Photo: Reidar Hahn, Fermilab
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