Report of the Panel on Synchrotron Radiation
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Report of the Panel on Synchrotron Radiation

 Report of the Panel on Synchrotron Radiation
to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities
 
1994


The panel reviewed 19 proposals for synchrotron radiation research authored by 25 Israeli scientists with a limited number of collaborators from other countries.
The proposals were considered to be at least as good, on average, as those presently competing successfully for beam time at the synchrotron radiation facilities. Experience from other nations indicates that there will be growth in the number of Israeli users if facilities become more available. The capabilities will also become increasingly important to Israel´s advanced industries.
The basic conclusion of the Panel is that the quality, capabilities and size of the present research community in Israel justify the most expensive of the options considered by the Panel - Israel´s membership in one of the two third-generation facilities, the ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) or formation of a CAT at the APS (Advanced Photon Source).
While it would be less expensive to participate formally in a second-generation facility or to continue casual use of those facilities, Israel cannot maintain cutting-edge research in this field or provide access for industrial research and development along these paths.
Although the two major third-generation X-ray facilities, the APS and the ESRF, are excellent facilities, the panel believes that it is more appropriate for Israel to develop a sector (one insertion device beam line with two experimental stations and one bending magnet line with two experimental stations) at the APS. As a later machine, the APS will have some important technical advantages over the ESRF.
We believe this is a practical option, as it is clear that Israel has a critical mass of scientists to manage the development and maintenance of a sector at the APS and to maintain forefront synchrotron research programs. If, however, a suitable team of scientists for the design and oversight of the construction of beam line and instrumentation cannot be assembled, the ESRF option should be reconsidered.
While building the sector at APS, existing second-generation programs should be encouraged and well-funded.
Considering the diversity and number of basic academic programs to be supported by this facility, and recognizing that it is reasonable to expect that this facility will make important contributions to Israel´s capabilities in diverse technological areas, this investment is definitely appropriate.
 
 
* The Report (19 pages)  is  availbale for you perusal in the Academy Library; Additional copies are available upon request (while supplies last) - by pressing the ´´Send E-mail´´ button above