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| ARGONNE HOME PAGE | ARGONNE INTRANET | NEWS HOME PAGE | BACK ISSUES |
by Amy M. Kile
In combination with five other laboratories, Argonne is helping to build the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) which will produce X-ray light with a peak brightness more than 100 billion times that of current synchrotron light sources such as the Advanced Photon Source (APS). The LCLS will be the most brilliant X-ray source in the world.
APS employees are working their counterparts from the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and UCLA Particle Beam Physics Laboratory on the roughly $220 million DOE-supported LCLS project taking place at SLAC in Menlo Park, Calif.
Argonne will be in charge of building the undulator system at the end of the SLAC linear accelerator. The undulator, a critical component of the LCLS, is a $50 million, subway train-length high-precision magnet system. It is used to undulate, or oscillate, an electron beam, causing it to radiate waves of X-ray light. In addition, Argonne will build the vacuum system, power supplies, diagnostics and everything else needed for the undulator system.
“Argonne is responsible for more than 120 meters of LCLS undulator system, making it the largest undulator system in the world,” said Stephen Milton, director of the Argonne component of the LCLS.
Murray Gibson, associate laboratory director for the APS, said, “Researchers are taking an approach that will emit X-ray pulses less than 200 femtoseconds, 1,000 times shorter than those in use at APS today.”
Research that can be conducted using the LCLS ranges from biological to materials science. The extremely high LCLS peak brightness and ultrashort pulse lengths may be used to observe the motion of nanoscale structures, to hollow out an atom or to measure inter-atomic distances in a molecule that is undergoing a chemical reaction.
With such extreme properties the LCLS might even be able to image a single molecule. By understanding the resulting scattering of the light and by using different exposures to determine the molecule’s orientation, the molecular structure could be determined, meaning researchers may no longer need to crystallize proteins to determine their structures.
“The LCLS shows promise in doing just that, and it will allow us to really extend the capability of what is already being done in the study of large biomolecules,” Milton said.
The LCLS works by coaxing the electrons in the machine to work together when radiating their light, much like soldiers marching together as a group. In the APS, electrons radiate more like individuals in a crowd.
“If one were able to do a trick with particles, make all of the electrons in a single bunch radiate their light at exactly the same phase, then the light adds up in a more favorable way than it does out in the APS,” said Milton, “and this is basically what happens in the LCLS.”
APS researchers, including Milton were the first to demonstrate this process, known as self-amplified spontaneous emissions (SASE), at visible and ultraviolet wavelengths.
While exciting, the LCLS approach is not ideal for every X-ray experiment. For example, the X-rays produced in the LCLS might be so intense that they destroy the material sample being studied.
“While some experiments can take place at the LCLS it really is not a user facility but a test facility to determine what technical performance is possible and what will be demanded by scientific users in the future,” said Gibson. “We know that the LCLS will work, but we need to optimize its uses.”
The SLAC LCLS is expected to perform first tests in 2007 and begin operation in 2009. After gaining some experience with the experimental facility, it is likely that a dedicated fourth-generation X-ray laser will be built in the United States within the next 20 years.
Even then, its specialized laser-like X-ray radiation means it will be a unique complement to established light sources such as the APS.
Argonne continues to operate under “SECON-2,” the second-highest security condition. Although no specific targets have been identified, Argonne employees must be vigilant and aware of potential threats.
All employees should report suspicious persons, particularly those carrying suitcases or other containers, or those observing, photographing or asking questions about site operations or security measures. Unidentified vehicles parked or operated in a suspicious manner on, or near, the site should be reported, as well as abandoned parcels or suitcases or any other activity considered suspicious. To report suspicious situations or activities, call ext. 2-5730, ext. 2-5731 or dial 911 if the situation is an immediate concern.
Additional security measures remain in place. Positive photo identification is required for access to the site. These measures also include increased vehicle searches: all visitors, contractors and service employees will have their vehicles searched, and there will be an increased number of random searches of Argonne employees’ cars.
These measures may cause delays at the gates. Employees can help reduce these delays by eliminating any clutter or unnecessary items in their vehicles, using Eastgate and planning to spend a few more minutes getting to and from work.
Protection measures put in place in October 2001 remain in effect:
All employees and visitors must
prominently display their badges or passes while on site.
All visitors, including
employees’ spouses and other relatives, must stop at the Argonne Information Center (AIC) for
passes before entering the site.
Employees hosting special events must
provide the AIC with a list of attendees far enough in advance to allow security to prepare passes
for them. The list must include the names and citizenship of all attendees. Hosts of special events
should inform attendees of additional security requirements that may delay their entry to the site,
such as vehicle searches and badge checks.
Visitors who are not U.S. citizens
cannot enter the site after regular business hours unless prior site-access arrangements have been
made.
Passes for visitors attending special
events held after regular hours (5 p.m. - 6:30 a.m.) or on weekends will be prepared by AIC
employees and issued at the main gate. Arrangements must be made well in advance of conferences,
seminars and other meetings to minimize potential problems or delays.
All visitors will be positively
identified before receiving a pass, and must wear their passes while on site. Those with visitor
passes will also need positive identification at the gates.
Argonne and DOE employees may no
longer vouch for visitors in their vehicles by displaying their badges. These visitors must be
processed through the AIC.
Items that may not be brought onto the
site at any time include pets, firearms and other weapons, explosives (including fireworks),
illegal narcotics and radioactive sources.
Wearing badges outside of the laboratory or leaving them in vehicles is strongly discouraged. Employee badges have been stolen at other U.S. Department of Energy facilities, which can lead to unauthorized use.
Leslie Burris, retired director of the Chemical Engineering Division, died March 11 at the age of 80.
Burris worked at Argonne for 40 years until his retirement in 1988. He served as division director for 11 years. As a member of the Chemical Engineering Division, his major areas of research were nuclear fuel processing and nuclear waste management.
He received his master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1956.
He was awarded a number of honors, including the University of Chicago Distinguished Performance Award, Glenn T. Seaborg Actinide Separations Award and was a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering.
He served as an emeritus member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Nuclear Society and Sigma Xi.
He is survived by his wife Mary; a son, James; daughters, Kathy Turner and Susan Madeira; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild; a brother and sister; and an aunt.
Human Resources Benefits section will conduct I-Pass registration in Argonne-East’s Building 213 Cafeteria lobby Tuesday, March 25, and Wednesday, March 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
I-Pass allows drivers to pay highway tolls automatically with a transponder mounted inside their vehicles; the amount is deducted from an account set up with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.
Applications are available online. Transponders will be ready for immediate use. Credit card or check payments will be accepted (no cash).
For more information, call Fran Perri (HR) at ext. 2-2989.
2002 flexible spending claims must be postmarked by Monday, March 31. For more information, contact Human Resources at ext. 2-2991 (Argonne-East) or ext. 3-7361 (Argonne-West).
A blood drive will be held at Argonne-East Wednesday, April 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lower level of Building 617.
Everyone who visits during the blood drive can enter a drawing for a Chrysler Sebring convertible, whether or not they donate blood.
For an appointment, call ext. 2-2803.
Fidelity’s Online Portfolio Planner tool will be demonstrated at two one-hour presentations at Argonne-East Tuesday, April 1. The tool can help employees meet their financial goals.
Presentations will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Argonne-East’s Building 402 Auditorium.
The online tool creates plans to reach up to 10 different financial goals. Users can receive investment strategies to model portfolios in Argonne retirement plans and get detailed asset allocation strategies. Employees can explore “what if” assessments and learn about “Full View,” which lets users review all their finances, including non-Fidelity accounts. The program will be presented by a Fidelity representative.
The Argonne Toastmasters Club will conduct a six-week Speechcraft Workshop beginning Thursday, April 10, at Argonne-East. The workshop will be held every Thursday in Building 201, Conference Room 190, from noon to 1 p.m. Participants will learn and practice effective communication skills in a friendly, comfortable and supportive environment. The cost is $50.
For more information, contact Carolyn Arthur (HR-DPO) at ext. 2-9023.
Service Awards for March include:
45 Years
Rita M. Beaver (EQO).
40 Years
Franklin R. Brumwell (IPNS), Gary A. Odell (FAC).
35 Years
Dae H. Cho (RAE).
30 Years
John L. Anderson (ES), Michael F. Janeczko (RPS), Larry D. Moore (FAC).
25 Years
Susan G. Barisas (EA), Rodney N. Bryan (FAC), A. Jean Farmer (RPS), Carol S. Giometti (BIO), Marsha E. Mehaffey (RAE), Mona M. Turpin (PFS).
20 Years
John E. Graham (FAC).
15 Years
Cindy J. Crawford (IPD), Dominick J. DeGiuli (FAC), Timothy C. Kuhfuss (ECT), Corey V. Landon (FAC), Gregory D. Owens (PFS), Randall J. Richmond (RPS), David Tomasko (EA).
10 Years
Gary W. Edgell (OCF), Christopher Grandy (RAE), Tadeusz Kapusta (PFS), Geraldine Lane (IPD), Andre Mckenzie (ASD), Glenn Moonier (AOD), Ronald E. Murray (PFS), Nancy Sanchez (MSD), William Shores (OSS), Christopher M. Stoltz (OCF), Chad H. Weaver (FAC), John J. Whipple (FAC), Daniel J. Vanlannen (PFS).
5 Years
Khalil Amine (CMT), Fon-Chieh Chang (ET), Robert W. Connatser, Jr. (IPNS), Donald A. Dohan (ASD), Jayne E. Dolph Besjak (DIS), Paul L. Hewett, Jr. (DIS), Kwang-Je Kim (ASD), Fran Perri (HR), Giselle Sandi-Tapia (CHM), Robert Sharp (DIS), Mark G. Staszak (ECT), James R. Stuart (NT).
Jorge Moré (MCS) Paul Fischer (MCS) and Julius Jellinek (CHM) will be among the speakers at a symposium on Computational Science and Engineering Thursday, April 3, at Northwestern University, Evanston.
Moré will present “NEOS:
Optimization Solutions for Scientific Computing” at 11 a.m. He is also a member of the program
committee.
Fischer will speak on
“Computational Hemodynamics: Simulating Transition in Vascular Flows” at 11:40 a.m.
Jellinek will speak on “Metal
Clusters and Metallicity” at 4:45 p.m.
The symposium is free, although registration is required by Wednesday, March 26. More information is online.
Argonne theoretical scientists will present short overviews of their work Monday, April 14, in the first of a series of talks intended to lead to greater interaction and communication among theorists at Argonne.
Presentations will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Argonne-East’s Building 362, Room F108. They are intended to be accessible to a broad audience of Argonne theorists. Each presentation will be about a half-hour long, with 15 minutes set aside for questions and discussion.
1:30 - 2:15 p.m. -- “Quantum
Phase Transitions,” by Michael Norman (MSD)
2:15 - 3 p.m. -- “Goldstone
Boson’s Valence Quark Distribution,” by Craig Roberts (PHY)
3:30 - 4:15 p.m. -- To be
announced
4:15 - 5 p.m. -- “Physics of
Extra Space-Time Dimensions,” by Carlos Wagner (HEP)
5-6 p.m. -- Social hour, hosted by
Associate Laboratory Director Bob Rosner
A representative from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) will visit Argonne-East Tuesday, March 25, to meet with employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the “METPAY” group automobile and homeowners insurance program.
To schedule an appointment, call (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Employees can receive a quote over the phone by calling (800) 438-6388.
TIAA rates for the 2nd quarter 2003 are:
TIAA Traditional -- 5% through 3/1/03
– 6/30/03, earned through 2/28/04.
TIAA Supplemental -- 4% through 3/1/03
– 6/30/03, earned through 2/28/04.
Nominations are being sought for the 2003 University of Chicago Outstanding Service Awards.
The award recognizes those in support positions who have furthered the goals and missions of Argonne through exceptional contributions.
The award is an engraved plaque along with a cash prize. Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 4.
The nomination form, ANL-620, is available online or from Human Resources on ext. 2-2960.
The laboratory’s retirement vendors will have representatives at Argonne-East during April to meet individually with employees to answer questions about retirement plans and retirement plan assets.
Appointments are for one-half hour each. To schedule an appointment, call the number listed.
Fidelity -- Tuesday, April 8, and
Tuesday, April 22. Call (800) 642-7131.
TIAA-CREF -- Monday, April 14, and
Tuesday, April 15. Call (800) 842-2005.
Prudential -- Wednesday, April 2, and
Wednesday, April 16 (half-day sessions). Call (847) 619-3519.
An interactive program for family caregivers will be held at Argonne-East Wednesday, March 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The program will give employees an opportunity to talk about their own family caregiving issues and to receive personal attention and guidance from eldercare expert Joy Loverde. The program will include discussion about balancing life and work responsibilities and about handling the emotions of family caregiving.
Loverde is author of the best-seller “The Complete Eldercare Planner.”
To ensure quality of this program, space is limited. For information, contact Fran Perri (HR) at ext. 2-2989 or fperri@anl.gov.
Representatives from 25 area colleges will visit Argonne-East Wednesday, April 2, to answer questions about course offerings, degree requirements and class schedules. Four-year and community colleges will be represented.
The college fair will be held in Building 212, Room A157, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Human Resources Department will be available to provide information about the Argonne Educational Assistance Program and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). CLEP is a program through which college credits can be granted for learning derived through life experiences.
The college fair is open to all Argonne employees as their work schedules permit.
The Plant Facilities and Services Division and Human Resources co-host this annual event. For more information, call Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410.
Argonne and University of Chicago researchers are encouraged to apply for funding opportunities offered by the university’s Center for Integrating Statistical and Environmental Science (CISES).
Money is available now for smaller projects; funding for large projects should start in summer of 2004.
Employees with project ideas can send a one-page summary to cises@galton.uchicago.edu with a curriculum vitae or brief biographical sketch. CISES will help identify potential collaborators if only partial teams have been assembled.
For more information, visit the CISES Web site.