Prof. William A Barletta

Accelerators are essential engines of discovery in fundamental physics, biology, and chemistry. Particle beam-based instruments in medicine, industry and national security constitute a multi-billion dollar per year industry. Designing and building accelerators whether large or small requires a synthesis of beam physics, electrical and mechanical engineering, a practical knowledge of materials and fabrication techniques, and an understanding of the scientific or applied enterprise that the machine will serve. In addition to these instrumental applications of accelerators, the physics of particle beams is, in its own right, an area of research rich in intellectual challenges and rewards.

William Barletta maintains a broad range of professional research activities that include free electron laser physics, the design of instruments for high energy and nuclear physics and for ultra-fast synchrotron radiation science, ion beam technology for nanofabrication, and interactive technologies for cargo inspection. In addition he has a strong secondary research interest in international legal and policy aspects of cyber-security and cyber-conflict. As Director of the U.S. Particle Accelerator School, he is responsible for a national graduate program that covers all aspects of accelerator science and technology that are crucial to facilities for accelerator-based science.