Accelerator science is both a modern physics discipline in its own right and a high-powered tool for discovery and innovation for a vast array of scientific disciplines. As such, it holds a distinguished position in enabling and shaping the modern world; from determining the atomic structure of materials to biomedical research and treatment of illnesses to the elucidating fundamental understanding of what the universe is comprised of and it was created.
Australia has a little-known but rich history of making key contributions to the field of accelerator science, including the invention of the synchrotron acceleration principle.
To maintain state-of-the-art accelerator-based facilities in Australia, the Australian Synchrotron, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), The University of Melbourne and the Australian National University have established the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science: ACAS.
The aims of ACAS are to:
- provide a forum for accelerator science activities in Australia
- raise the profile of accelerator science nationally and internationally
- grow the accelerator science community in Australia
- build the capabilities of accelerator science in Australia for the future
- seek resources to fund accelerator science activities
- be the face of accelerator science for Australia, and
- maximise research opportunities in accelerator science.
