What is Superconductivity?

Superconductivity allows electricity to flow through a conductor without resistance. At CEBAF this is achieved by cooling the niobium cavities in the accelerator to -456^oF.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR CEBAF?

Well, using superconducting technology, CEBAF requires an average of 20 megawatts of power to operate. That's enough power for 16,000 homes.

If CEBAF were NOT SUPERCONDUCTING, it would require 60 megawatts, enough power for 48,000 homes!!!

AND, without superconducting technology, CEBAF's performance would be greatly reduced.