Welcome
Welcome to the Superconducting Particle Accelerator Forum of the Americas (SPAFOA). The not-for-profit SPAFOA is an industrial forum that promotes the participation of U.S. industry in major Federally funded particle accelerator projects and develops the expertise within industry to apply this technology to the commercial marketplace. The forum provides a vehicle to integrate the resources of the U.S. industrial base into the research, development, manufacturing, construction and operation of major programs based on superconducting radio frequency (SCRF) accelerator technology. The forum's activities include:
- Three meetings per year at major accelerator facilities located at DOE National laboratories or universities
- Monthly newsletters to inform the members of key issues and events that impact the development of SCRF accelerator technology
- Annual Capitol Hill briefing for members of Congress and their staffs on the issues and progress impacting industrialization of this technology
- Continuing an open dialog with elements within the Federal government responsible for planning and funding R7D activities for advanced accelerator technology
Membership in the SPAFOA is open to industries, universities, and Government laboratory contractors interested in developing a strong industrial base in the U.S for this critical emerging technology. Please contact ken.olsen@spafoa.org for details and a membership application.
LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015:
The forum followed our meeting at SLAC with a meeting at LBL the following day. The focus of this session was the R&D programs at LBL's Center for Beam Physics. We were welcomed by Win Leemans, Center Director and were briefed on their high density physics program and the Berkeley Center for Magnet Technology. The briefings were followed by a tour of the LBL facilities. See the agenda and click on it for the individual presentations.
SLAC NATIONAL ACCELERATOR LABORATORY:
SEPTEMBER 22, 2015:
The SLAC meeting focused on the status and technical progress on the LCLS II program and other research programs including room temperature accelerator components and accelerator reliability activities. The meeting was well attended by 17 SPAFOA members. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Norbert Holtcamp, Deputy Lab Director and several senior SLAC personnel participated in the briefings and technical discussions. After lunch we were given a tour of the LCLS facility and the vacuum microwave devices R&D labs. See the agenda and click on it for the individual presentations.
CAPITOL HILL BRIEFING - OCTOBER 27, 2015:
The forum held our annual Capitol Hill briefing on Oct 27. The briefing was attended by DOE, congressional staff and 3 members on Congress. The overall topic of discussion was industrialization of advanced accelerator technology. The forum discussed the issue of several recent DOE Office of Science laboratory procurements being awarded to foreign companies after DOE investing heavily in component R&D in the US. We recommended DOE do a survey of recent awards to help define the issues and work with industry to increase the percentage of domestic suppliers on future major science projects. DOE provided an excellent progress report on the accelerator stewardship program where collaborative R&D is occurring between the labs and industry. See the agenda and click on it for the individual presentations.
BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LAB MEETING - MAY 21, 2015:
The forum held a members meeting at Brookhaven Lab in Upton, NY on May 21. Our members were briefed on several key issues and programs including BNL's accelerator stewardship, SRF facilities, magnet R&D, and the current upgrades for the Accelerator Test Facility (ATF). Mike Harrison, the ILC Americas Regional Coordinator provided an upgrade of the Japanese design and siting efforts. We were also given an overview of the tech transfer program by Connie Cleary. After lunch the lab hosted a tour of the newly commissioned NSLS-II, the magnet division and the site for the upgraded ATF. See the agenda and click on the individual talks for more detail.
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