This award supports the continuation of the existing physics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site at Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (CLASSE). Supported by the National Science Foundation, the Laboratory has an international reputation for research, with a unique constellation of programs including accelerator physics, synchrotron radiation research, and microwave superconductivity. The student participants have a ten week research experience during the summer at the Laboratory, and have full access to the resources of the Laboratory and University. The undergraduate researchers in this program work closely with Laboratory experienced physicists and they use group housing together with many other REU groups on campus. The students participate in joint activities that include lectures with an overview of wide topics in the accelerator physics, X-ray science, take part with a bigger body of REU groups on campus in fun-talks and hands-on activities that introduce various frontiers of physics research, as well as events geared towards teaching the students about social and ethics issues in scientific research and conduct.
This REU program at Cornell's laboratory for accelerator based sciences and education (CLASSE) has provided research opportunities for 38 undergraduate students form all across the US, nearly 50% of which came from underrepresented groups. Research topics were in the field of X-ray science, analyzing a large variety of materials (medical, biological, chemical, and mechanical, and more), in the field of Accelerator Physics that enables the particle accelerators producing the X-rays, and including accelerators that enable elementary particle physics, and in the field of Superconducting Radio-Frequency structures, which are the integral parts in many accelerators that supply energy to particle beams. Each student worked for 10 weeks supervised by a practicing scientist in the environment of a vibrant research laboratory on a forefront research project that often lead to publication in a scientific journal or to presentation in a scientific conference. Student were exposed to all major projects of the laboratory by introductory talks, and learned about good research practices, laboratory safety, and ethical standards in the sciences. Additionally, each student participated in outreach activities for the general public, making science results accessible to non-scientits. Fun presentations and group events made this summer a valuable experience for all involved.
