ALS MERLIN Beamline
In Final Testing Phase

MERLIN's first light

MERLIN, a meV Resolution beamline at the Advanced Light Source, recently began first-light commissioning, paving the way for two experimental techniques. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) is a photon-in/electron-out spectroscopy used to directly study single-particle (quasiparticle) ground-state properties and electron-boson interactions. Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy (RIXS) is a photon-in/photon-out spectroscopy used to study two-particle (electron-hole) properties. The unique combination of ARPES and RIXS will allow researchers to investigate the electronic structures of complex systems. High-resolution experiments will begin early this summer. Go here for more information.

South Pole Search
For Galaxy Clusters

South Pole Telescope

In its search for distant galaxy clusters, the 10-meter South Pole Telescope, completed in 2007, has finished its first full season of measuring faint anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. By using CMB measurements to assess the evolution of galaxy clusters, then combining this data with supernova studies, researchers hope to begin distinguishing among competing theories of dark energy. Berkeley Lab physicists who are members of the University of Chicago-led South Pole Telescope collaboration include Matt Dobbs, Adrian Lee, Martin Lueker, Helmuth Spieler, and former Lab members Trevor Lanting and Thomas Plagge. For more information, go here.

Presenters for ‘Sons, Daughters Day’ Needed

The Lab’s Center for Science and Engineering Education is recruiting presenters for the Daughters and Sons to Work Day Activities Fair.  The event will take place on the Advanced Light Source patio on Monday, April 24. Presentation times are 10:30-11:45 a.m. and 1:15-2:30 p.m. Presenters must provide a hands-on activity that takes between five and 10 minutes to demonstrate. Groups or individuals interested in participating should contact Joe Crippen (x5816). Registration packets for those interested in bringing children to the Daughters and Sons to Work Day event will be available on Monday, April 7. See Monday’s Today at Berkeley Lab for details.

Energy ‘Hero’ Ovshinsky
To Speak Next Tuesday

Ovshinsky

Stanford Ovshinsky — a noted scientist, engineer and innovator who has been called "the modern world's most important energy visionary" — will present a talk on campus on Tuesday, April 8, at 5 p.m. in Doe Library’s Morrison Room. Ovshinsky, who will talk on “Alternative Energy and the Americas," was named "Hero for the Planet" by Time magazine in 1999 and "Hero for Chemistry" by the American Chemical Society in 2000. Ovshinsky developed a new class of materials in an area of physics now called "Ovonics," and has translated these discoveries into thin film solar technology, hydrogen fuel cells and storage devices, and the nickel metal hydride batteries that power most hybrid cars.