Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (1986) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 37-52
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From page 37... ...
In addition, basic AMO research is carried out in a number of industrial laboratories, including AT&T Bell Laboratories, IBM Research Laboratories, Eastman Kodak Company, and Hughes Research Laboratories. Four sources provide most of the federal funding for basic AMO research: the Department of Defense (DOD)
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From page 38... ...
Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1 provide a realistic portrait of the changing pattern of funding for atomic and molecular physics because the data were assembled over the years using a consistent set of criteria for basic research. Table 3.2 gives the overall funding figures, including optical physics, for 1983.
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From page 39... ...
-. 1 ~ =1 ~ _ ~ _ _ _ ~ ~ 1972 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 YEAR FIGURE 3.1 Funding of basic atomic and molecular physics by the federal government in universities and allied institutes, 1972-1983.
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From page 40... ...
40 ~ A: - · ~ o o ~ 'e so au - ~ of - ~ no c,: ~ .o o v)
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From page 41... ...
41 o to - to 11 'e o ct v, o c: so en oo ret en — ID ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Cal .
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From page 42... ...
· The pressure generated by this severe erosion of support for basic AMO physics has increased to the point that the future vitality of the field is in jeopardy. The problems, which are documented in the CAMS Survey, may be summarized as follows: The shortage of sustained support for basic AMO physics is making it increasingly difficult for the research groups to maintain the critical level needed for rapid scientific advance; there is little flexibility to move in new directions, to provide adequate support for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visitors.
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From page 43... ...
, nor does it include costs of basic research in optical physics within the DOD laboratories. · The panel notes with pleasure that federal priorities for research in the past few years have placed increasing emphasis on the support of basic research.
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From page 44... ...
In considering alternative routes for accomplishing this, the panel discussed adopting centralized institutional modes and also the possibility of organizing large areas of research around highly visible major facilities. However, the panel concluded that the great strength of AMO physics in the United States has been the high quality of the many diverse, relatively small, research groups.
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From page 45... ...
RECOMMENDATIONS Base Support To undertake new experimental and theoretical research on the Program of Initiatives, funds are required to Support graduate students, postdoctoral workers, and other professional scientists; —Help restore the infrastructure of technicians, shops, and special research facilities that has largely vanished; —Purchase new equipment at an adequate rate; Maintain the equipment; Support travel and visitors; —Allow enough flexibility for groups to pursue new scientific leads without the 2- to 3-year delay that is now often required for starting new research. The cost of operating a typical active university-based AMO research group is estimated to be about $350,000/year (1984 dollars)
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From page 46... ...
Instrumentation The lack of instrumentation is seriously hindering AMO research in laboratories throughout the United States. During the past decade the complexity of scientific instrumentation increased substantially, causing the costs to skyrocket at the same time that support withered.
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From page 47... ...
The panel recommends that the agencies invite and support proposals addressing this issue, for example, by creating centers, workshops, or summer schools where students and active theorists could come together for varying periods of time. Access to Large Computers AMO physics provides a natural testing ground for new modes of description and new mathematical procedures because the underlying physical laws are generally known and precise experiments are possi
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From page 48... ...
Special Facilities Two areas of AMO physics require special instrumentation or access to large facilities: accelerator-based atomic physics and AMO physics with synchrotron radiation light sources. Because of their relatively high cost on the scale of support for AMO physics, these require separate attention.
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From page 49... ...
Accelerator upgrades and replacement Total $3.0 million $4.7 million $4.3 million $12 million These recommendations are in agreement with the 1981 report of the Committee on Atomic and Molecular Science.* ATOMIC, MOLECULAR, AND OPTICAL PHYSICS WITH SYNCHROTRON RADIATION Synchrotron light sources are expected to have a major impact on wide areas of AMO research in the coming decade.
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From page 50... ...
Remote-sensing techniques from AMO physics have applications ranging from combustion analysis for engine design to chemical weapons monitoring. Numerous other examples could be cited, but this brief summary should suggest the scope of the impact of basic AMO research on DOD objectives.
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From page 51... ...
The weapons laboratories of DOE require highly skilled scientists to carry out their mission; many of these are trained in university laboratories engaged in basic AMO research. The problems of future energy technology will require continued expertise and manpower from AMO physics.
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From page 52... ...
The overall size and the scope of the NSF programs reflects a pattern established several decades ago when the DOD agencies provided most of the support and NASA participated more actively than today. Although the atomic and molecular program grew somewhat in comparison with the total support by the Physics Division during the past decade, the increase fell far short of the losses that occurred because of withdrawal of DOD and other agency support.
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