The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory

Abstract

The following text is not intended to be a scientific document, but rather an informative essay on the basics of nuclear physics, cyclotron theory and construction, and the development and organization of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. It is designed for an audience with a high school education and an interest in science, but not necessarily with any scientific background. Although the physics presented is accurate, it is not written in the precise, technical language that a physicist might expect. Research for the paper was obtained mostly from personal interviews with the scientists involved in the particular sections. Other information was obtained from various lab publications, as well as several magazine articles and books on nuclear physics and cyclotron theory. It should also be noted that the information in the section on history and development was obtained largely from an article written by H. Blosser titled "Cyclotrons at Michigan State University: A Review of Their Successful Development". The illustrations for this report were taken from the lab files.