Particle accelerators are large pieces of equipment used to accelerate and study subatomic particles. An accelerator usually consists of a vacuum chamber surrounded by a long sequence of vacuum pumps, magnets, radio-frequency cavities, high voltage instruments, and electronic circuits. The vacuum chamber is a metal pipe where air is pumped out to make the residual pressure as low as possible. Inside the large pipe, particles are accelerated by electric fields. Powerful amplifiers provide intense radio waves that are fed into resonating structures.
Each time the particles traverse these structures in the pipe, some of the energy of the radio wave is transferred to them, and they are accelerated. Thus, accelerators give high energy to the subatomic particles when they collide with targets. Out of this interaction come many other subatomic particles that pass into detectors. From the information gathered in the detectors, nuclear physicists and their assistants can determine properties of the particles and their interactions. The higher the energy of the accelerated particles, the more closely the structure of matter can be probed. For this reason, a major goal of accelerator researchers is to produce higher and higher particle energies.
Particle accelerators come in two basic designs, linear (linac) and circular (synchrotron). The longer a linac is, the higher the energy of the particles it can produce. A synchrotron achieves high energy by circulating particles many times before they hit their targets. Accelerators are used in medical research as well as in physics research. The study of how high-energy particles interact with their targets and the resultant energy produced has a direct applicability to the design of nuclear reactors and higher energy output. Accelerator operators are responsible for the operation of the accelerator. They review the schedule for experiments being done on the accelerator to ascertain the particle beam parameters specified by the physicist experimenters, such as energy, intensity, and repetition rate.
They supervise accelerator maintenance personnel to ensure the readiness of support systems, such as vacuum, water-cooling, and radiofrequency power sources. They set the control panel switches - according to strict standard procedures - to route electric power from the source and direct the particle beam through the injector unit. They turn panel controls and watch meters and panel lights to adjust the beam steering units and direct the beam to the accelerator. They are responsible for pushing the console buttons in a prescribed sequence to control the beam path in the accelerator. They adjust controls to increase the beam pulse rate, energy, and intensity according to the specified levels for the particular experiment.
When the beam parameters meet those specifications, Accelerator Operators notify the physicist experimenter in the target control room, and then push the control levers that steer the beam to the experimenter's target, as directed. They monitor readings at their console during the experiment to ensure that the accelerator systems meet specifications, notifying the experimenter of any change in conditions. They may alter the beam parameters during the experiment based on the experimenter's instructions. They log in all data relative to beam specifications, equipment settings used, and beam conditions for future reference. During this process, they identify any equipment malfunctions, and assist in the diagnosis/correction of such malfunctions.
They ensure that maintenance workers have vacated any hazardous locations before operations are begun. As a member of the team of nuclear research operators, they participate in maintenance and modification of systems, and are a source of information on the operation of the accelerator equipment. In addition, those operators with programming skills frequently are asked to develop control applications and create software designed to enhance machine operations due to their expertise in the day-to-day operation of the accelerator.
Finally, safety conditions during all accelerator operations rest with the senior or primary Accelerator Operator (sometimes called the accelerator operations manager), who is also usually in charge of all operator training. The safe functioning of the accelerator facility is achieved by strict adherence to a combination of engineering and administrative controls derived from standards set by the industry, Department of Energy (DOE) directives, and federal safety and health laws.
According to a salary study made by PayScale, Inc., median annual salaries for nuclear technicians (including Accelerator Operators) in November 2006 ranged from US Dollars 42,000 to US Dollars 70,000 or more, dependent on geographic locale and on longevity in the position. Beginning salaries for trainees in this post ranged from US Dollars 25,000 to US Dollars 30,000, and the highest median yearly salaries of US Dollars 80,000 or more were for those with 10 to 19 years experience.
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