The University of Chicago's Accelerator Building, constructed in 1949, is set to be demolished in 2024. This facility was initially home to a particle accelerator requested by Enrico Fermi after his work on the Manhattan Project. It operated for ten years and contributed significantly to particle physics before being decommissioned.
Following its decommissioning, the building became a hub for scientific research at UChicago. It housed large-scale experiments such as telescope construction for South Pole missions and cosmic ray measurement instruments. The facility's unique structure allowed it to support diverse projects over the decades.
In 2024, the Accelerator Building and its neighbor will make way for a new engineering and science innovation center. Prof. Jim Pilcher remarked, “That building really shaped the physics department over the years,” highlighting its historical significance in advancing scientific research.
The original inhabitants of the building were two accelerators: a betatron and a cyclotron designed by Fermi and Herbert L. Anderson. The cyclotron was particularly notable as it used a massive magnet to accelerate particles, leading to groundbreaking discoveries about protons' internal structures.
Although more powerful accelerators were developed elsewhere, UChicago continued using the space for various scientific endeavors after the betatron and cyclotron were decommissioned. The cyclotron's magnet was repurposed at Fermilab.
Scientists utilized the freed-up space for assembling large detectors and instruments crucial for understanding cosmic rays. These efforts included NASA missions like CRN or "Chicago Egg," which studied high-energy particles from space.
Throughout its history, UChicago has been instrumental in pioneering cosmic ray studies with numerous experiments originating from this site. Most recently, Prof. Scott Wakely's HELIX project launched from Sweden in May 2024 aimed at exploring cosmic ray acceleration mysteries.
The building also played a role in particle physics advancements with contributions to projects like CERN’s Large Hadron Collider that discovered Higgs boson in 2012—an achievement earning Nobel recognition in 2013—and neutrino studies through experiments such as Double Chooz led by Prof. Ed Blucher.
Beyond these significant scientific achievements, other projects included gamma-ray observations using VERITAS telescopes or R&D innovations under Prof. Henry Frisch’s guidance within this versatile environment that even hosted dinosaurs during fossil preparations led by Prof Paul Sereno who appreciated having ample room for transporting specimens while conducting related research activities onsite too!
Despite moving into newer facilities offering modern conveniences today many fondly remember their experiences working here where they gained hands-on insights into experimental physics underscoring its lasting impact across generations fostering academic growth among students involved throughout different eras exemplified best perhaps through stories shared about NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld’s formative time spent learning inside these historic walls ultimately helping repair Hubble Space Telescope later during career orbiting Earth itself!
Editor’s Note: Information provided by late Professor Emeritus Dietrich Müller contributed greatly towards compiling details shared herein reflecting upon transformative legacy left behind thanks largely due dedicated efforts put forth collectively over years spent advancing knowledge together collaboratively united common purpose always striving forward reaching beyond boundaries previously thought possible...