In this issue of ATAP News, learn how our researchers are advancing particle accelerator science and applications and how this work supports the recommendations from the P5 Report, which outlines a pathway for particle physics over the next decade and includes strong support for accelerator research, as well as broad applications.

For instance, researchers in our Advanced Modeling Program are developing a new tool for simulating hybrid accelerator beamlines. This work, which received the best paper award at this year’s Platform for Advanced Scientific Computing (PASC’24) Conference, could extend the capabilities of existing accelerators and help advance the development of next-generation plasma-based machines for breakthrough science.

ATAP is also rapidly growing as a center of excellence for the emerging field of Quantum Information Science by exploring novel approaches to creating, synthesizing, and controlling quantum bits (qubits). For example, our Fusion Science & Ion Beam Technology Program spearheads groundbreaking research that uses ultrafast lasers to form optical qubits in silicon for large-scale manufacturing. The work utilizes our cutting-edge beam and plasma technology facilities and is connected to the Department of Energy Office of Science’s Quantum Application Network Testbed for Novel Entanglement Technology.

Read about how ATAP researchers harness the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the performance of existing accelerators, design future plasma-based technologies, and help protect superconducting magnets.

Our scientists are also working with colleagues from the Lab’s Engineering Division to develop future training-free low-temperature superconducting accelerator magnets.

June marked the start of Pride Month—a time when we celebrate LGBTQ+ identity and recognize the ongoing contribution that our LGBTQ+ colleagues are making to advance and support scientific breakthroughs. June is also Immigrant Heritage Month when we reflect on the contributions of immigrants and their descendants to our shared history and culture.

On June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth by commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and honoring the strength, resilience, and heritage of Black Americans.

May saw ATAP researchers participate in another successful Berkeley Lab Director’s Review. The review allowed us to demonstrate the breadth and depth of our research to key stakeholders within and outside the division.

Senior Scientist and Head of our Fusion Science & Ion Beam Technology Program, Thomas Schenkel, took a temporary role at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in May. He will retain a position in ATAP and continue leading many projects he initiated at the Lab. We wish him all the best in his new role.

In May, we celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by recognizing our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander employees and their ongoing support and contributions, which are critical to our success.

During April, we observed Earth Month—this year’s theme was “Planet vs. Plastics”—by raising environmental awareness across the Lab and taking actions to reduce our climate, waste, and water footprints.

April was also Arab American Heritage Month when we recognize the contributions of our Arab American colleagues to supporting and advancing science, as well as Autism Acceptance Month, when we celebrate neurodiversity at the Lab.

In our April All-to-All meeting, we learned about the risks of human cognitive biases being reproduced or amplified in AI.

On April 23, we unveiled our new website. This greatly improved website is an essential tool for communicating our work. Many thanks to our Operations and IT teams for all their hard work.

Earlier in the month, the Lab was honored to host Ferenc Krausz, the 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physics. Krausz was awarded the prestigious prize for his groundbreaking experiments with attosecond (one billionth of a billionth of a second) light pulses. His visit also significantly recognized our BELLA Center’s leading work in ultrafast, intense laser science.

And it is with mixed feelings that we announce ATAP Senior Administrator Wes Tabler’s retirement after 26 years of exemplary service to the lab. Wes will be greatly missed by all at the Lab, and we wish him a happy, relaxing, and fulfilling retirement.

Written by Carl A. Williams or other authors as credited.

For more information on ATAP News articles, contact caw@lbl.gov.