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The Center for Bright Beams, A National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center

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Each of these relies on beams of particles, and better beams lead to new capabilities.  CBB addresses three areas of beam science and technology:  beam production, beam acceleration, and beam dynamics and control. These all fit together in a research ecosystem.

Beam Production:

Bright, high-intensity electron beams are produced using the photoelectric effect, a phenomenon first explained by Einstein, in which laser light excites electrons out of a material called a photocathode.  CBB is gaining new insights into the photoemission process and is putting them to use to produce beams with unprecedented brightness. Find more information on the Beam Production page.

Beam Acceleration:

The gold standard for accelerating intense charged particle beams is the superconducting RF cavity, in which the beam “surfs” a powerful electric field to gain energy. CBB is developing next-generation SRF cavities that will vastly reduce their cost, increase energy sustainability, and simplify operation.  For the first time, the brightest beams will be available to industry and university research. Find more information on the Beam Acceleration Page.

Beam Dynamics and Control: 

Bright beams have complex behavior, so manipulating them can be an art.  CBB is conserving the brightness of beams from high-performance sources.  It is also inventing new techniques to increase the brightness of stored, by feeding information from the beam back on itself and using techniques such as machine learning to optimize beam transport. Find more information on the Beam Dynamics and Control page.

The Center for Bright Beams – A Culture of Inclusion

The Center for Bright Beams is a diverse and inclusive organization that equally supports people of all genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, abilities and has a measurable impact on the participation of underrepresented groups in sciences and technology, particularly in accelerator science.

CBB's Strategic Diversity Objectives and Deliverables

Resources for Increasing Diversity in Science

Understanding Implicit Bias

Implicit bias is an automatic reaction we have towards other people. These attitudes and stereotypes can negatively impact our understanding, actions, and decision-making.

  • Project Implicit: The Implicit Association Test (IAT) measures attitudes and beliefs that people may be unwilling or unable to report. The IAT may be especially interesting if it shows that you have an implicit attitude that you did not know about. For example, you may believe that women and men should be equally associated with science, but your automatic associations could show that you (like many others) associate men with science more than you associate women with science. Awareness of our biases is the first step in combatting them.

Diversity in Science – An Everyone Issue with Dr. Corrie Moreau.

Increasing Diversity in Physics

The Center for Bright Beams is a member of the Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP) and participate in their PathwaysToScience program.

Check the APS web site for resources

Creating a Culture of Teamwork

Teamwork is the cornerstone of our success.

Effective Mentoring

Mentoring creates a culture of inclusion through the sharing of knowledge and experience, creating a level playing field for all.

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Understanding Implicit Bias:

Implicit bias is an automatic reaction we have towards other people. These attitudes and stereotypes can negatively impact our understanding, actions, and decision-making.

  • Project Implicit: The Implicit Association Test (IAT) measures attitudes and beliefs that people may be unwilling or unable to report. The IAT may be especially interesting if it shows that you have an implicit attitude that you did not know about. For example, you may believe that women and men should be equally associated with science, but your automatic associations could show that you (like many others) associate men with science more than you associate women with science. Awareness of our biases is the first step in combatting them.
  • Diversity in Science – An Everyone Issue with Dr. Corrie Moreau.

Effective Mentoring:

Mentoring creates a culture of inclusion through the sharing of knowledge and experience, creating a level playing field for all.

Creating a Culture of Teamwork:

Increasing Diversity in Physics: