University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh Van de Graaff accelerator records 1947-1974.
This collection consists of letters, diagrams, catalogs, and reports documenting the University of Pittsburgh's construction of an advanced cyclotron in the early 1960s. These records involve correspondence written from contractors to the university, along with letters to and from different faculty involved with the project. Reports from the contractors and architects tasked with construction are present, along with the resulting blueprints and diagrams for the building itself. Records that span from the early discussions and proposals for the project to updates to the building after its completion are also found.
In the early 1960s, the University of Pittsburgh was chosen to have a cyclotron built on its campus that would be more powerful than others that had previously come before it. Pitt was able to secure over $1.6 million from the National Science Foundation and $1 million from the Sarah Mellon-Scaife Foundation to construct the building on campus. Directed by Dr. James McGruer, construction began in November 1962 and was completed in March 1964. The first beams of protons were achieved in 1965 and the building itself was dedicated in 1966. Eventually, the building was renamed the Nuclear Physics Laboratory, although the building still goes by both names. Since its dedication, the accelerator has been an integral piece of equipment for both student and faculty research. Additions to the accelerator were made in the early 1970's to increase the power output of the machine.
University of Pittsburgh
Cyclotrons
Nuclear physics
Pittsburgh (Pa.).
AIP-ICOS
University of Pittsburgh. University Archives. 7500 Thomas Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15208, USA