Jefferson Lab in the News
Lia Merminga, Director
Center for Advanced Studies of Accelerators
JLab Center of Excellence
After being part of search team, Merminga tapped to lead CASA
Lia Merminga knew she had her work cut out for her as chair of a committee searching for a director for Jefferson Lab's Center for Advanced Studies of Accelerators (CASA). Little did she realize that, nine months into the search, she would be the very person tapped for the position.
"I didn't think I'd end up with this kind of job. It's a humbling experience," Merminga says. "It's a big job and a big responsibility. But I am very enthusiastic. I know CASA's people, their capabilities and their talents. There are people in CASA who are internationally recognized experts. We have a very strong group. There's a lot of potential to harness."
As a member of the Accelerator Physics Group, CASA's predecessor, Merminga has been at JLab for 10 years. Previously CASA deputy director, her appointment as director was made official on May 1.
CASA's staff all work in the Applied Research Center. Half are tasked to accelerator operations support, while the remainder are engaged in various forms of accelerator research and development.
"CASA opens up new possibilities in accelerator physics worldwide," Merminga says. "As one pushes for beams of higher energy and quality, certain technical problems arise. We are here to identify those problems and solve them."
CASA joins the Institute for Superconducting Radio-Frequency Science and Technology (ISRFST) as two newly created centers intended to capitalize on JLab's core expertise in accelerator physics and technology. Both are bringing experts together from throughout the Lab in administratively distinct groups. CASA and ISRFST teams are being called upon to address issues related to superconducting radio-frequency technology, propose new approaches, and create next-generation ideas and facilities. CASA and ISRFST are financially supported by the Laboratory's nuclear physics and Free-Electron Laser (FEL) programs, with additional assistance from funds available from work being conducted on the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).
CASA's mandate includes maintainng existing and establishing new collaborations in national and international projects, establishing safety practices commensurate with these activities, and supporting a strong program of mentorship and training. Among the early institutional priorities is the establishment of strong collaborations with other Lab departments and divisions.
CASA's primary mission is to generate, investigate and distribute the latest findings on advanced accelerator and beam physics, especially that knowledge generated at the Lab. A secondary goal is to provide an organized archive for retaining information generated by the Accelerator Division so that such information will remain available to guide future projects.
The center will conduct materials studies to support improvements to the superconducting niobium cavities comprising the Lab's accelerator complex, investigate advanced designs for other recirculating and energy-recovering electron accelerators, work to develop the next generation of electron-beam diagnostic devices, and propose methods of controlling accelerators by means of computerized feedback systems. Also on CASA's agenda is refinement of the theoretical calculations that predict electron-beam behavior.
"CASA exists because of what's here already," Merminga points out. "But the Laboratory's future to a large extent will depend on what new facilities we create on site. CASA's responsibility is to the design, operation and commissioning of these facilities."
Currently, CASA staff are working on the commissioning of G0, a new Hall C experiment. The CASA team is also designing a beam-transport system for that experiment, such that its quality will remain high for the duration of the experiment.
In addition, CASA is working with the Lab's FEL group on the FEL's upgrade to 10 kilowatts, conducting computer simulations of improvements to the electron beam that produces the laser's tunable, focused light. In all, some 20 staff and 30 contractors are working 60-hour weeks to complete the upgrade by this coming October. All the FEL's physical elements are slated to be connected by October 1, with recommissioning slated in stages throughout 2003.
Geoffrey Krafft, who served as CASA's acting director May 2001 through April 2002 has assumed the post of CASA deputy for technical research and development; and Jay Benesch has taken on the duties of CASA deputy for machine physics in support of CEBAF and other machine operations.