Andrei Seryi, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and Carsten Welsch, University of Liverpool and the Cockcroft Institute
Photo courtesy of IPAC’24
The momentum for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), the world's first fully polarized electron-ion collider, is building as experts from around the globe gather to push the boundaries of nuclear physics.
On May 21, during the 15th International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC’24) in Nashville, Tennessee, the new EIC Accelerator Collaboration was formally launched through a kick-off event, opened by Joanne Hewett, director of Brookhaven National Lab.
Nearly 200 accelerator experts convened to learn about the unique challenges and exciting opportunities that the EIC presents. The accelerator collaboration is essential for the design and construction of a collider that meets and possibly even exceeds the recommendations of the U.S. National Science Advisory Committee Long Range Plan and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences' requirements. Jim Yeck, EIC project director from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, emphasized the importance of this gathering.
“Momentum is building for this momentous project, the first of its kind, as more international partners solidify their interest and support for EIC,” Yeck said. This sentiment was echoed by many during the event, highlighting the global enthusiasm for the project.
Technical and Scientific Challenges
The EIC is designed to unlock the secrets of the building blocks of matter and the strongest force in nature by enabling collisions of polarized electrons with polarized protons and ions. Achieving this goal requires addressing numerous technical challenges, a task that the Accelerator Collaboration is well prepared to tackle. The collaboration has just started to establish specialized working groups focusing on areas such as beam dynamics, cooling, beam optics and beam-beam effects.
Sergei Nagaitsev introduces the EIC accelerator challenges during IPAC (photo courtesy of IPAC’24)
“We welcome the U.S. and international accelerator community to join the EIC Accelerator Collaboration to face the EIC’s challenges and to deliver this very challenging machine,” said Sergei Nagaitsev, EIC technical director at Brookhaven Lab, in introductory remarks. This call to action is essential for the success of the project, which aims to commence operations around 2032.
The EIC Accelerator Collaboration is not just about constructing a machine; it is about building a future for nuclear physics research. Andrei Seryi of Jefferson Lab, co-chair of the collaboration, pointed out the significance of this effort: “The EIC design, construction and future upgrades have many scientific and technical challenges, creating opportunities for a worldwide accelerator collaboration to become part of this exciting endeavor.”
Carsten Welsch of the University of Liverpool/Cockcroft Institute, the other co-chair of the collaboration, highlighted the importance of research and development partnerships.
“By bringing together the best experts in the field, the science and discovery potential of this unique accelerator will be maximized,” Welsch said. He added that discussions with potential partner institutions for specific R&D focus areas have already begun, laying the groundwork for a coordinated international effort.
Recognizing Emerging Talent
A highlight of IPAC’24 was the recognition of early career researchers who are contributing to the EIC project. Matthew Signorelli, a graduate student from Cornell University, was awarded for the best EIC-related poster. His work on “Best Adjustment Groups for ELectron Spins" (BAGELS) offers innovative solutions to counteract radiative depolarization in the EIC’s electron storage ring, significantly enhancing polarization in simulations.
“It is very important to provide opportunities to early career researchers to contribute to the realization of the EIC to ensure continuity and enhancement of expertise for running this discovery machine for decades to come,” noted Seryi. This recognition underscores the importance of nurturing new talent to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the EIC project.
Working Groups and Next Steps
The announcement of a charter for the collaboration — and a streamlined process for individuals to register their interest in the project — laid the foundation for the collaborative structure necessary for tackling the EIC’s technical challenges. As the collaboration moves forward, dedicated working groups will ensure that the EIC meets its ambitious goals.
The EIC Accelerator Collaboration kick-off at IPAC’24 marks a significant milestone in the journey towards realizing the EIC. With the world’s best and brightest physicists, engineers and technicians on board, the project is well-positioned to achieve groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements. As the collaboration continues to grow and evolve, it will undoubtedly pave the way for a new era in nuclear physics research, unlocking the secrets of the inner microcosm of atomic nuclei and individual protons.
The road ahead is challenging, but with a dedicated and diverse team, the EIC is expected to become a model for international collaboration in science and technology. The excitement and optimism surrounding the project at IPAC’24 are just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey for the scientific community and beyond.
Anyone who would like to express their interest in the EIC project, is kindly asked to reach out to Andrei Seryi (seryi@jlab.org).