Theory at CERN Turns 62 Solutions for Beam Diagnostics Based on CVD Diamond Technology
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CERN Courier November 2014 Viewpoint cividec Instrumentation CIVIDEC Instrumentation is an R&D company born of cutting-edge technologies for CERN. We specialise in turn-key Theory at CERN turns 62 solutions for beam diagnostics based on CVD diamond technology. Cecilia Jarlskog looks at senior staff members: Gunnar Källén and Ben R Mottelson (who was to receive the CERN Theory’s roots, and 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics). Note that these “leaders”, both born in 1926, were at the Diamond Detectors recalls some interactions with time below the age of 30. This was a general feature of the young CERN – even the the organization. accelerators were built by people who many of us would now consider as “youngsters”. CERN Theory was expected to move One of my most memorable gradually to Geneva. However, this took in experiences of CERN is Cecilia Jarlskog with colleagues at the total about fi ve years, until 1 October 1957, from an early morning in Nordic Institute of Theoretical Physics when the Theory Group in Copenhagen was the summer of 1966. I drove (NORDITA) in Copenhagen, in the early offi cially closed. The theorists who came to to CERN with my two small children, one 1980s. (Image credit: NORDITA.) Geneva had their offi ces fi rst at the University and three years of age, to fetch their dad of Geneva, then in barracks at Geneva Airport, who had been on a night shift – there were possible to form this group very quickly until they moved to the current CERN site in no guards at the entrance in those days. I and for it to start work, in Copenhagen, even Meyrin. Theory went on to fl ourish at CERN, found him outside the experimental hall before the decision had been made as to where and the subsequent history of the Theory being interviewed by a friendly looking CERN would be located. Copenhagen had Division deserves a book of its own. gentleman, who after greeting us continued already been a world centre for theoretical In 1971, I became the fi rst female fellow of asking questions and taking notes. The physics for several decades. It was clear the CERN Theory Division, in 1982 the fi rst gentleman, as I found out afterwards, was that CERN Theory would thrive there, female member of CERN’s Scientifi c Policy the director-general of CERN, Bernard owing to the presence of the great and Committee, and in 1988 this committee’s Gregory. This was for me an inspiring and incredibly infl uential theoretical physicist fi rst female “old boy”. Later, in the years instructive experience. Since then, CERN Niels Bohr, and his competent local staff. 1998–2004, I was the adviser on member NEW: Diamond XBPM – X-Ray Beam Position Monitor has grown a great deal, and attracts so many Victor Weisskopf, who was director-general states to CERN’s director-general. I have more people that the probability of a young of CERN in the years 1960–1964, knew enjoyed CERN’s international atmosphere visiting PhD student being interviewed alone Bohr well, and used to refer to him as the enormously, which has given me ample by the director-general must not be so large. greatest founder of CERN. CERN Theory in opportunity to meet and talk with inspiring For me, there are other exciting new features Copenhagen was a lively place, and attracted physicists from across the world. I also feel of CERN these days, such as encountering many distinguished international scientists. fortunate to have lived in a period when NEW: Diamond XBPM – our novel X-Ray Beam Position Monitor crowds of enthusiastic young people from The CERN Annual Report for 1955 the amount of information revealed about across the world. informs us that: “The Theoretical Study the nature of the elementary constituents is made of diamond for precision beam position measurements. The young CERN has now turned 60, its Division is located in the Theoretical of matter and their interactions has been offi cial foundation being on 29 September Physics Institute, University of Copenhagen. mind-boggling. CERN has been an 1954. Its creation was a unique act, based The work of the Division has proceeded important contributor in this respect. Who on an unprecedented common effort by a according to the programme fi xed during could have imagined that we would arrive • Excellent X-ray transparency. number of distinguished scientists from the interim period and includes: a) scientifi c at the Standard Model so “soon” – a highly several countries, not only from Europe research on fundamental problems of nuclear successful theory of weak, electromagnetic • For X-ray beams in the micron range. but also from the US, among them Robert physics, including theoretical problems and strong interactions? Oppenheimer and Isidor Rabi. We are related to the focusing of ion beams in high In 2004, during the mandate of Robert all impressed by their dedication and energy accelerators; b) training of young Aymar as director-general, the CERN Theory • Fast response, superior dynamic range. commitment, and are grateful to them for theoretical physicists; c) development of Division turned into the Theory Unit, under the creation of this organization for basic active co-operation with the laboratories of the CERN Physics Department. Does this research in science for peace. Since its Liverpool and Uppsala, whose machines imply that CERN wishes to guide the theorists creation, CERN has served as a “standard and equipment have been placed at the to work on the “focusing of ion beams”, and model” for several other international disposal of CERN.” This was what CERN’s machines as well as equipment, as envisaged scientifi c organizations. “founding fathers” had in mind that the by the founding fathers in 1952? Fortunately, However, while CERN has just celebrated theorists should be doing. But, of course, during my visits to CERN since, I have seen its 60th anniversary, there is one part of it except for b, that was not what the theorists no such trend. Long live theory at CERN. WE PIONEER CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS that is a little older. The CERN “Group of actually did. ● Cecilia Jarlskog, Lund University and fi rst female Theoretical Studies” was created through The 1955 CERN Annual Report also president of IUPAP. She has written recently about the a resolution passed by the CERN Interim informs us that the Theoretical Study early days of theory at CERN, in the book Portrait of Council in Amsterdam in May 1952. It was Division in Copenhagen had two full-time Gunnar Källén (CERN Courier October 2014 p74). CIVIDEC Instrumentation GmbH | Vienna Schottengasse 3A/1/41 | A-1010 Vienna, Austria | phone: +43 1 9229307 | contact: [email protected] | www.cividec.at | 54 CERNCOURIER www. V OLUME 5 4 N UMBER 9 N OMBERV E 2 0 1 4 CERN Courier November 2014 Viewpoint cividec Instrumentation CIVIDEC Instrumentation is an R&D company born of cutting-edge technologies for CERN. We specialise in turn-key Theory at CERN turns 62 solutions for beam diagnostics based on CVD diamond technology. Cecilia Jarlskog looks at senior staff members: Gunnar Källén and Ben R Mottelson (who was to receive the CERN Theory’s roots, and 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics). Note that these “leaders”, both born in 1926, were at the Diamond Detectors recalls some interactions with time below the age of 30. This was a general feature of the young CERN – even the the organization. accelerators were built by people who many of us would now consider as “youngsters”. CERN Theory was expected to move One of my most memorable gradually to Geneva. However, this took in experiences of CERN is Cecilia Jarlskog with colleagues at the total about fi ve years, until 1 October 1957, from an early morning in Nordic Institute of Theoretical Physics when the Theory Group in Copenhagen was the summer of 1966. I drove (NORDITA) in Copenhagen, in the early offi cially closed. The theorists who came to to CERN with my two small children, one 1980s. (Image credit: NORDITA.) Geneva had their offi ces fi rst at the University and three years of age, to fetch their dad of Geneva, then in barracks at Geneva Airport, who had been on a night shift – there were possible to form this group very quickly until they moved to the current CERN site in no guards at the entrance in those days. I and for it to start work, in Copenhagen, even Meyrin. Theory went on to fl ourish at CERN, found him outside the experimental hall before the decision had been made as to where and the subsequent history of the Theory being interviewed by a friendly looking CERN would be located. Copenhagen had Division deserves a book of its own. gentleman, who after greeting us continued already been a world centre for theoretical In 1971, I became the fi rst female fellow of asking questions and taking notes. The physics for several decades. It was clear the CERN Theory Division, in 1982 the fi rst gentleman, as I found out afterwards, was that CERN Theory would thrive there, female member of CERN’s Scientifi c Policy the director-general of CERN, Bernard owing to the presence of the great and Committee, and in 1988 this committee’s Gregory. This was for me an inspiring and incredibly infl uential theoretical physicist fi rst female “old boy”. Later, in the years instructive experience. Since then, CERN Niels Bohr, and his competent local staff. 1998–2004, I was the adviser on member NEW: Diamond XBPM – X-Ray Beam Position Monitor has grown a great deal, and attracts so many Victor Weisskopf, who was director-general states to CERN’s director-general.