News

This October marks the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Wilson Synchrotron Laboratory. Initially built for $11million and promising to deliver cutting-edge research in elementary particle physics, it was the NSF’s largest project at that time. Fifty years later, the lab is going through its biggest upgrade in decades. 

The construction portion of the CHESS-U upgrade is nearing completion as teams work to assemble the last of the experimental hutches. While there is still plenty of work to be done, the preparation for becoming a true 3rd-generation lightsource is paying off.  

The demolition phase of the CHESS-U upgrade project is complete, and the construction phase has commenced.  Crews have been working double shifts in order to meet the self-imposed deadline to bring beam back to CHESS.

The CHESS-U upgrade is underway. Associate Director Ernie Fontes explains how the team is already making progress, and looking forward to bringing in some new equipment.

Join John Buettler, a machinist, as he shares the passion he brings to the job of helping to construct the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS).

ITHACA, NY (WSKG) – Students running around the track at Cornell University’s Charles F. Berman field might not realize that about five stories down there’s another track sending atoms circling – a particle accelerator. It was shut down this week for massive upgrades.

The big changes at CHESS you’ve been hearing about for the past couple of years are about to take place.  CHESS is being transformed by both a major facility upgrade – the CHESS-U upgrade project – and a transition to a new funding and organizational model.

The CHESS-U upgrade requires the construction and installation in CESR of a large number (~100) of new magnets.