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CORNELL LABORATORY FOR ACCELERATOR-BASED SCIENCES AND EDUCATION

Charles Hultquist

  • Home Institution: Michigan State University
  • Program: REU at CLASSE
  • Semester: Summer 2021
  • Expected Graduation Year: 2022
  • Mentor(s): Kirsten Deitrick

Q&A

What is the research you are engaged in and what have you accomplished this summer?

This summer, I've been working at the Cornell Electron Storage ring, trying to model a part of the accelerator known as the "positron snout," the transfer line from the linear accelerator to the larger synchrotron ring. I use data taken from various points along the accelerator to adjust our simulations of the snout to better match reality.

What are the impacts of your research for the general public?

Having accurate models of accelerators is incredibly important. A good simulation can allow us to understand how the beam's response to, say, changing a magnet strength, without changing the actual magnet strength. Being able to simulate beams will ease the testing and building process for future accelerators, saving time and money for future physicists.

What did you enjoy most about this research/summer experience?

I've really enjoyed being able to process real data from such a large experiment. It is an incredible experience to work "hands-on" with the experimental measurements I have taken and know that my analysis can have some impact for future physicists.

What did you find the most challenging about this research?

The research process largely felt like a recurring "two steps forward, one step back." It was difficult not to be discouraged when running into errors or roadblocks. My mentor and many other researchers I interacted with comforted me by reiterating that this is the nature of research, and that the "one step backward" part of the research can sometimes be the most illuminating.

How has this experience changed your view about being a researcher?

This experience helped me realize just how interconnected and collaborative research is. My mentor and I would not have been able to accomplish anything this summer if not working on the foundations laid by dozens of other physicists working in our lab. I also gained much insight into various issues and errors I ran into from discussions with peers and other mentors.