An overall view of the remodeled Bevatron in the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Berkeley

An overall view of the remodeled Bevatron in the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Berkeley (currently known as the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). The giant nuclear accelerator has returned to operation after major modifications financed by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Modifications include a new 40-foot, 19.5 Mev proton linear accelerator - the injector - which is out of the photo and is connected to the machine at lower right hand corner.  The pole faces of the 10,000-ton magnet have be rewound, modern electronic controls have been installed, and the primary proton beam will be deflectedout of the machine for the first time.  A major result is a large increase in output of protons; 800 billion particles per pulse, four times the old figure, with a potential rise to 25 times the earlier level. The rise in beam intensity necessitated complete shielding of the machine for the first time, with a total of 17,000 tons of concrete, the thickness being generally 10 feet with a minimum of 7 feet in some non-critical areas.The modifications will permit more research, greater precision and sophistication, and experiments that previously were impossible. The Bevatron, which began operations in 1954, has been supported entirely by the Atomic Energy Commission., Credit Line: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, courtesy of AIP Emilio Segrè Visual Archives
Abstract/Description: An overall view of the remodeled Bevatron in the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Berkeley (currently known as the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). The giant nuclear accelerator has returned to operation after major modifications financed by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Modifications include a new 40-foot, 19.5 Mev proton linear accelerator - the injector - which is out of the photo and is connected to the machine at lower right hand corner. The pole faces of the 10,000-ton magnet have be rewound, modern electronic controls have been installed, and the primary proton beam will be deflectedout of the machine for the first time. A major result is a large increase in output of protons; 800 billion particles per pulse, four times the old figure, with a potential rise to 25 times the earlier level. The rise in beam intensity necessitated complete shielding of the machine for the first time, with a total of 17,000 tons of concrete, the thickness being generally 10 feet with a minimum of 7 feet in some non-critical areas.The modifications will permit more research, greater precision and sophistication, and experiments that previously were impossible. The Bevatron, which began operations in 1954, has been supported entirely by the Atomic Energy Commission.
Subject(s): Particle accelerators
Magnets
Laboratories
Equipment and supplies
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Credit Line: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, courtesy of AIP Emilio Segrè Visual Archives
Catalog ID: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory F47