The Fascinating Story of Felicia, the Fermi Ferret
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Chapter 1: The World of Particle Accelerators
Particle accelerators represent the forefront of innovation in physics. They accelerate minuscule charged particles and observe the outcomes of their collisions with various other particles. These experiments lead to the identification of subatomic particles that enhance our comprehension of the universe.
In February 1971, scientists at the National Accelerator Laboratory (NAL) in Batavia, Illinois, were diligently working to activate their accelerator, also known as Fermilab. The director, Bob Wilson, informed the Department of Energy that the project would require five years and an investment of $250 million to become operational.
Troubleshooting a Particle Accelerator
Within the Fermilab accelerator, particles were propelled to nearly the speed of light, colliding with other targets to unveil subatomic enigmas. However, after four years of effort, the accelerator remained non-functional. The 13-ton magnets essential for particle acceleration were persistently failing.
Over a span of several months, the team replaced around 350 of these magnets. When they attempted to energize the particles, the magnets would short-circuit. Metal fragments from the vacuum tubes, which were both hundreds of feet long and extremely narrow, were being drawn into the magnets. With time running out, the NAL team was in urgent need of an economical solution.
Section 1.1: Enter Felicia the Ferret
A British engineer named Robert Sheldon was brought in to tackle the problem. He proposed using a ferret equipped with cleaning tools. Frank Beck, a former head of research services, noted:
“In his part of Yorkshire, hunters often used ferrets. A ferret would not hesitate to traverse the interior of the stainless steel tube, even if it meant venturing into the unknown.”
They procured a ferret for $35. Felicia, a 15-inch long adorable creature, arrived with a collar and a diaper, as one could imagine that waste would not be ideal in a particle accelerator.
The researchers attached a string to Felicia’s collar, which had a swab dipped in cleaning solution tied to it. Initially, Felicia was hesitant to navigate the four-mile vacuum ring, understandably so, given the dark and intimidating environment.
To ease her into the task, they started her training on smaller vacuum tubes. Gradually, she became accustomed to larger tubes. After successfully cleaning extensive stretches of the vacuum system, Felicia earned her retirement at a mink farm.
Without Felicia's assistance, the scientists might not have identified the root of the problem. Sadly, she fell ill and passed away in 1972, but she was cherished by the Fermilab staff and played a vital role in making the particle accelerator operational.
The first video dives into the quirky story of the particle accelerator that had a ferret as its unsung hero, highlighting Felicia's unique role.
References
Pinkowski, Jen. Why Physicists Tried to Put a Ferret in a Particle Accelerator. Atlas Obscura. April 2nd, 2019.
Beck, Frank. Felicia Helps Out. Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory. October 5th, 2016.
Yamada, Ryuji. Main Ring period: The darkest-turned-happiest days at Fermilab. November 6th, 2017.
Chapter 2: The Evolution of Fermilab’s Accelerator
The second video showcases the groundbreaking developments of Fermilab's cutting-edge particle accelerator, illustrating its significance in the field of physics.