History of the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory

The original Radiation Lab was equipped with a 150-kV Cockroft-Walton accelerator manufactured by the Texas Nuclear Corporation. This laboratory was housed in the old Dailey garage on Richland Avenue near where the new 682 bypass is now located. This photo is taken from the proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to fund the tandem accelerator.
The original Radiation Lab was equipped with a 150-kV Cockroft-Walton accelerator manufactured by the Texas Nuclear Corporation. This laboratory was housed in the old Dailey garage on Richland Avenue near where the new 682 bypass is now located. This photo is taken from the proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to fund the tandem accelerator.

Nuclear physics at Ohio University was started in 1962 with the hiring of Professor Roger Finlay. The initial research program utilized a small 150-kV Cockroft-Walton accelerator for generating neutrons that was located in an old automobile garage. The Department of Physics, however, had more ambitious plans. Construction of the Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory (OUAL) began in 1965 and was completed in 1967, with funds supplied by the state of Ohio. In addition, Clippinger Laboratories, which houses the rest of the Department of Physics and several other science departments, was completed nearby on campus in 1967. Additional faculty hires in the area of nuclear physics also took place during this time period.

The ground-breaking ceremony for Accelerator Laboratory time of flight tunnel in 1980.
A flyer for the ground-breaking ceremony for Clippinger and the Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory that was held on July 19, 1965. This photo is from the Ohio University archives.
February 1966: the laboratory was just a hole in the ground at this point. Clippinger is under construction in the background. This photo is from the Ohio University archives.
February 1966: the laboratory was just a hole in the ground at this point. Clippinger is under construction in the background. This photo is from the Ohio University archives.

The purchase of the 4.5-MV tandem accelerator was funded by a $1 million dollar grant awarded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to Ohio University in 1967. The principal investigator was Professor Ray Lane, who had been recently hired. The accelerator was manufactured by the High Voltage Engineering Corporation located in Burlington, Massachusetts. The machine was designed to deliver high currents and consists of a unique "T" configuration, with the charging system running vertically and the beam horizontally. The accelerator itself took 18 months to manufacture and over 10 months to install, with the first experiments starting in 1971. Interestingly, the only other accelerator of this design was also installed in "Athens" —at the National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos" in Athens, Greece — and it too is still in operation! 

Construction of the Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory on June 1, 1966. Note the extra-thick concrete walls used to provide radiation shielding for the target rooms and accelerator vault. This photo is taken from the proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to fund the tandem accelerator.
Construction of the Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory on June 1, 1966. Note the extra-thick concrete walls used to provide radiation shielding for the target rooms and accelerator vault. This photo is taken from the proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to fund the tandem accelerator.
Construction of the Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory on October 11, 1966.
Construction of the Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory on October 11, 1966.

The initial research program was focused on nuclear structure, with a particular emphasis on experimental techniques involving neutrons. Funding was largely provided by the Atomic Energy Commission (now known as the Department of Energy) and the National Science Foundation. Scientists in the laboratory have always opportunistically sought out new research areas, particularly when the unique capabilities of the accelerator could be leveraged.

The Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory on May 1, 1967. The construction is nearly complete. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the National Science Foundation seeking to enhance the Department of Physics.
The Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory on May 1, 1967. The construction is nearly complete. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the National Science Foundation seeking to enhance the Department of Physics.
The accelerator tank, arriving on campus.
The accelerator tank, arriving on campus.
Maneuvering the Edwards Accelerator tank into position.
Maneuvering the Edwards Accelerator tank into position.
Roger Finlay, observing the process, a very exciting time for him.
Roger Finlay, observing the process, a very exciting time for him.
Lowering the bottom of the tank -- the base of the "T" -- into position.
Lowering the bottom of the tank -- the base of the "T" -- into position.
It was necessary to break away some of the brand new concrete in order to fit the tank into the building.
It was necessary to break away some of the brand new concrete in order to fit the tank into the building.

The laboratory was eventually named the John E. Edwards Accelerator Laboratory, in honor of John E. Edwards, who was a stalwart professor in the Department of Physics from 1932 until 1972, served as Department Chair, and was a recipient of Ohio University′s Distinguished Professor Award. The lab is still also referred to by many via the original acronym OUAL.

Starting in 1978, the laboratory began to direct some efforts towards the investigation of new methods for cancer treatment, in collaboration with the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. The idea behind this research was that radiotherapy with neutron beams may be superior to conventional X-ray and Cobalt therapy in the treatment of certain types of cancer. More recent projects in medical physics have involved collaborations with researchers from Ohio State University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to provide fundamental data for boron neutron capture therapy.

The ion source area in the low-energy part of the vault, in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The ion source area in the low-energy part of the vault, in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The high-energy part of the vault in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The high-energy part of the vault in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The small target room in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The small target room in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The large target room in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The large target room in the early days. This photo is taken from a proposal submitted to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1973 to fund research in the laboratory.
The control room in the early days.
The control room in the early days.
Roger Finlay, Jacobo Rapaport, and Steve Grimes, sitting on top of the newly-installed magnetic quadrupole triplet spectrometer in the large target room in the spring of 1979. Senior Honors Tutorial College student Jerry Weber is standing the foreground, asking the faculty for recommendation letters to graduate school.
Roger Finlay, Jacobo Rapaport, and Steve Grimes, sitting on top of the newly-installed magnetic quadrupole triplet spectrometer in the large target room in the spring of 1979. Senior Honors Tutorial College student Jerry Weber is standing the foreground, asking the faculty for recommendation letters to graduate school.

In 1980, the first architectural change in the building was made since its construction in 1967. A 30-meter-long time-of-flight tunnel was constructed underground in the vacant land just east of the building, utilizing funds from the Ohio University 1804 fund, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation. A rotating beam-swinger magnet supplied by Michigan State University was also installed. The combination of beam swinger and tunnel allows neutrons to be studied as a function of angle with very well-shielded detectors. The long flight path provides for excellent neutron energy resolution.

A flier commemorating the completion of the neutron time-of-flight tunnel, from the groundbreaking on Aug. 18 to tunnel in place on Sept. 10, 1980.
A flier commemorating the completion of the neutron time-of-flight tunnel.

In 1987, an interdisciplinary program in Condensed Matter and Surface Science was started at Ohio University. This program led to a faculty hire with research specialization in accelerator-based materials studies and the establishment of additional research capabilities in the accelerator laboratory. The W.M. Keck Thin Film Analysis Facility integrates several techniques within a suite of coupled UHV chambers to provide analysis and preparation facilities for research on surfaces and thin films. Accelerator-based probes include Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy, Nuclear Reaction Analysis, Elastic Recoil Spectroscopy, Proton-Induced X-Ray Emission, and Ion Channeling.

Looking down the new neutron time-of-flight tunnel.
Looking down the new neutron time-of-flight tunnel.
Beam swinger in the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory, with accelerator in the background
The newly-installed beam swinger magnet.
The beam swinger magnet was designed by Aaron Galonsky at Michigan State University for use at their accelerator. After several years of operation, it could no longer be used at their facility due to an increase in their beam energy. It thus became available for our use at the Ohio University Accelerator Lab. This photo of the plaque on the magnet was taken in 2005, by which time the swinger had inadvertantly "swung" into something and chipped the plaque.
The beam swinger magnet was designed by Aaron Galonsky at Michigan State University for use at their accelerator. After several years of operation, it could no longer be used at their facility due to an increase in their beam energy. It thus became available for our use at the Ohio University Accelerator Lab. This photo of the plaque on the magnet was taken in 2005, by which time the swinger had inadvertantly "swung" into something and chipped the plaque.

The Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics (INPP) was established at Ohio University in 1991 to promote experimental and theoretical research in nuclear physics at the University. In 1994, the Edwards Accelerator building was expanded with the addition of a conference room, an undergraduate laboratory, an electronics shop, and office space. This addition was financed by roughly equal contributions from Ohio University and funds generated by overhead return through the INPP. The Department was renamed the Department of Physics and Astronomy at about this time, to reflect our growing teaching and research interests in astronomy and astrophysics. 

Two computer systems built in the laboratory by Don Carter and his undergraduate assistants Dennis Hunt and Pat Welch. The smaller one, sitting on top, is known as OU-8000, and was used for data acquisition beginning in the mid 1970s. It is described this Nuclear Instruments and Methods article. The larger computer on the bottom is known as OU-32 and came on line a few years later. It was used for data analysis.
Two computer systems were built in the laboratory by Don Carter and his undergraduate assistants Dennis Hunt and Pat Welch. The smaller one, sitting on top, is known as OU-8000, and was used for data acquisition beginning in the mid 1970s. The larger computer on the bottom is known as OU-32 and came on line a few years later. It was used for data analysis. The front panels for both computers were made in the department machine shop by Roger Smith (before the advent of CNC mills!). Both computers were workhorses and served in the laboratory through the mid 1990s.

One of the strengths of the laboratory has always been the design and construction of specialized experimental equipment, including hardware, electrics, and computers. These developments are possible because of our on-campus location, excellent technical staff, and other departmental resources such as our machine shop. The laboratory provides an excellent environment for both undergraduate and graduate students to learn all facets of experimental physics, including design, fabrication, data taking, and analysis. The laboratory infrastructure has also supported the development of equipment for several experiments that have been performed at other laboratories. 

Roger Finlay and Jacobo Rapaport with the swinger in the early 1980s. This photo is from the Ohio University archives.
Roger Finlay and Jacobo Rapaport with the swinger in the early 1980s. This photo is from the Ohio University archives.

Over time, the laboratory has increasingly hosted users from outside universities and laboratories. These users are often drawn here because of our capabilities and expertise in the generation and production of neutrons. One particular example is the development of neutron radiography, which has been led by scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

The Edwards Accelerator Laboratory has sustained a very high level of productivity over the years, with many Ohio University faculty performing a significant fraction of their research here. As of July 2012, Ohio University has produced 76 Ph.D.s in experimental nuclear science, of which 58 involved experimental work performed at at Ohio University. A list of Ph.D. students, their advisors, and thesis topics is given at the end of this page. Four Ohio University faculty who have worked in the laboratory, Roger Finlay, Steve Grimes, Raymond Lane, and Jacobo Rapaport, have received Ohio University′s Distinguished Professor Award. This award is the highest permanent recognition attainable by faculty at Ohio University.

The research focus of the laboratory has continued to evolve over time. Nuclear structure, and in particular statistical properties of nuclei, remains an important research focus. A relative new research area for the lab is nuclear astrophysics, which is concerned with providing an understanding of how nuclear physics impacts astrophysics (e.g., the origin of the elements and energy generation in stars). Applications of nuclear physics are becoming increasingly important. Example applications include high-precision fission measurements (needed to design the next generation of nuclear reactors) and the remote sensing of fissile materials using neutrons and gamma rays (motivated by the desire to prevent the unauthorized transport and or/use of uranium and plutonium).

In 2004 the University recognized the interface between nuclear physics and astrophysics as one of its "Research Priorities," awarding $1.3 million to the "Structure of the Universe" initiative. This initiative has led to increased ties between the nuclear physics and astrophysics groups and enhanced their research programs, including a faculty hire in low-energy experimental nuclear physics and $100,000 for refurbishment of the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory.

With the assistance of a $321,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the accelerator was upgraded to a Pelletron charging system provided by the National Electrostatics Corporation. This upgrade replaced the aging charging belt system and was completed in January 2012. The new system has demonstrated considerably improved terminal stability, has allowed operation at higher terminal voltages, and is expected to reduce required maintenance time and expense.

In January 2020, commissioning was completed on a new Alphatross helium ion source obtained from National Electrostatics Corporation using $187,000 from a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant. This upgrade replaced the duoplasmatron ion source that had been operation since the accelerator lab's beginning. The new source delivers higher beam intensities, shorter start-up time, and more stable operation.

Ground breaking for the expansion of the John E. Edwards Accelerator Laboratory in 1993. People visible from left to right include Louis Wright, Lloyd Chestnut, David Ingram, Jacobo Rapaport, David Onley, Roger Finlay (with shovel), Jim Dilley, Charlotte Elster, and Chuck Brient.
Ground breaking for the expansion of the John E. Edwards Accelerator Laboratory in 1993. People visible from left to right include Louis Wright, Lloyd Chestnut, David Ingram, Jacobo Rapaport, David Onley, Roger Finlay (with shovel), Jim Dilley, Charlotte Elster, and Chuck Brient.
Expansion underway, 1993. Construction was completed in early 1994.
Expansion underway, 1993. Construction was completed in early 1994.
The view inside the accelerator tank, looking up along the vertical coumn. The "T" structure of the columns is clearly evident. This photo appeared in Spring 2004 issue of Ohio Today.
The view inside the accelerator tank, looking up along the vertical coumn. The "T" structure of the columns is clearly evident. This photo appeared in Spring 2004 issue of Ohio Today.
Carl Brune and Catalin Matei at the high-energy end of the machine. This photo appeared in Spring 2004 issue of Ohio Today.
Carl Brune and Catalin Matei at the high-energy end of the machine. This photo appeared in Spring 2004 issue of Ohio Today.
Sadly, Roger Finlay passed away on March 13, 2011. The conference room in the Edwards Accelerator Lab was subsequently named the Roger W. Finlay Conference Room in his honor. This large photo from the ground breaking ceremony for the expansion of the Edwards Accelerator Lab now hangs in the conference room.
Sadly, Roger Finlay passed away on March 13, 2011. The conference room in the Edwards Accelerator Lab was subsequently named the Roger W. Finlay Conference Room in his honor. This large photo from the ground breaking ceremony for the expansion of the Edwards Accelerator Lab now hangs in the conference room.
Steve Grimes, Ernst Breitenberger, Louis Wright, Harold Knox, Chuck Brient, and Ray Lane, immediately following Harold′s colloquium presented to the Department of Physics and Astronomy on April 22, 2011. Harold received his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 1972 under the supervision of Roger Finlay. After his Ph.D., Harold worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Texas A&M before returning to Ohio University as a postdoctoral Fellow. Since 1989 he worked for the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory.
Steve Grimes, Ernst Breitenberger, Louis Wright, Harold Knox, Chuck Brient, and Ray Lane, immediately following Harold′s colloquium presented to the Department of Physics and Astronomy on April 22, 2011. Harold received his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 1972 under the supervision of Roger Finlay. After his Ph.D., Harold worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Texas A&M before returning to Ohio University as a postdoctoral Fellow. Since 1989 he worked for the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. Harold passed away a little over a year later, on July 15, 2012.
The accelerator control room on October 20, 2011. The terminal voltage is being regulated by the new Terminal Potential Stabilizer provided by the National Electrostatics Corporation. The unit is sitting on the cart in the foreground. This was the first part of the Pelletron upgrade project. The machine was still utilizing the old belt charging system at this time.
The accelerator control room on Oct. 20, 2011. The terminal voltage is being regulated by the new Terminal Potential Stabilizer provided by the National Electrostatics Corporation. The unit is sitting on the cart in the foreground. This was the first part of the Pelletron upgrade project. The machine was still utilizing the old belt charging system at this time.
The new Terminal Potential Stabilizer and Charging Controller, installed in the control panel on December 15, 2011.
The new Terminal Potential Stabilizer and Charging Controller, installed in the control panel on Dec. 15, 2011.
The chain drive motors and pulleys, awaiting installation, on December 15, 2011.
The chain drive motors and pulleys, awaiting installation, on Dec. 15, 2011.
Some of the installed chains and pulleys on January 17, 2012. Our system utilizes three chains, running vertically. The Pelletron charging system was sucessfully tested at 1 MV terminal voltage on January 24, 2012, and at 4 MV a few days later. Photo by Devon Jacobs.
Some of the installed chains and pulleys on January 17, 2012. Our system utilizes three chains, running vertically. The Pelletron charging system was sucessfully tested at 1 MV terminal voltage on January 24, 2012, and at 4 MV a few days later. Photo by Devon Jacobs.
Accelerator Engineer Devon Jacobs with the Alphatross in October 2019, following installation. The first plasma was achieved the following week. Photo by Don Carter.
Accelerator Engineer Devon Jacobs with the Alphatross in October 2019, following installation. The first plasma was achieved the following week. Photo by Don Carter.
First plasma achieved with the Alphatross. November 2019. Photo by Don Carter.
First plasma achieved with the Alphatross. November 2019. Photo by Don Carter.

Experimental Nuclear Science Ph.D. Graduates

This list of experimental nuclear science Ph.D. graduates from Ohio University includes students who utilized the tandem accelerator for materials science purposes, as well as three students who conducted theoretical research that are included for completeness (two advised by Grimes and one by Finlay). It should also be noted that there were several experimental high-energy physics Ph.D.s in the department in the pre-1975 era who are not included.

Name | Year | Advisor | Thesis

Other Institutions

We are also aware of several additional Ph.D. theses from other institutions that were based in part upon research carried out at the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory:

  • Kevin Choe, 2025, Air Force Institute of Technology, supervised by Christina Dugan
  • Rebecca Toomey, 2022, Rutgers, Department of Physics and Astronomy, supervised by Jolie Cizewski, "A measurement of the 18O(α,n)21Ne reaction"
  • Evan Bray, 2020, Pennsylvania State University, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, supervised by David N. Burrows, "Characterizing x-ray hybrid CMOS detectors for future x-ray space telescopes"
  • Panagiotis Gastis, 2020, Central Michigan University, Department of Physics, supervised by George Perdikakis, "Towards constraining the key nuclear reactions in neutrino-p process nucleosynthesis"
  • Bryan J. Vande Kolk, 2020, University of Notre Dame, Department of Physics, supervised by Michael C. Wiescher, "Cross section measurements of 10B(p,α)7Be"
  • Whitney Raas, 2007, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, supervised by Richard Lanza, "Towards the development of an explosives detection system using neutron resonance radiography"
  • William Howard, 1997, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, supervised by Jacquelyn Yanch, "Accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy"
  • Nilendu Gupta, 1995, Ohio State University, Biomedical Engineering, supervised by Thomas E. Blue, "Fabrication and preliminary testing of a moderator assembly for an accelerator-based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy"