Operation of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory Research Facility and the Michigan State University Nuclear Science Program

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The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) of Michigan State University is a national users facility for fundamental research in nuclear science. This cooperative agreement provides funds for operation of the NSCL, for support of its users program and for support of the research of the MSU staff in nuclear science and in accelerator and instrumentation physics. Facilities at the Laboratory include two compact superconducting cyclotrons of NSCL design and construction. The K500 cyclotron, the world's first superconducting cyclotron, began operation in 1982, and the K1200 cyclotron, the world's largest superconducting cyclotron, was commissioned in June 1988. A flexible array of detection equipment will be complete for use during the proposal period. The NSCL will then be an exceptionally powerful international facility for research on nucleus-nucleus collisions. High quality beams will be available over the whole range of projectile mass, from hydrogen to uranium, for studies of nuclear phenomena in the transition region where the projectile velocity crosses the velocity of nuclear sound, and nuclear shock waves compress the nuclear material. These beams will also make possible unique studies of the structure of nuclei. The cyclotrons provide an array of heavy ions unique in the U.S. and, together with the associated instrumentation, support an extensive national users program in heavy ion physics. The MSU research activity supported under this cooperative agreement includes an active accelerator physics research program. Instrumentation development, particularly involving superconducting technology, is another major activity. Graduate student training is a prominent aspect of the NSCL activity. Approximately 30 graduate students in residence are supported by this cooperative agreement.