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Part Promotion of Scientific Research

Elementary particle research, which uncovers the basic elements of matter and the laws of interacting force (energy) among these elements, is conducted through the use of huge experimental devices called "particle accelerators."'

Protons, electrons, and other elementary particles emitted from an accelerator almost at the velocity of light are crashed into other matter or elementary particles, or are collided with each other, leading to high energy phenomena. In recent years, accelerators used as experimental research apparatuses for nuclear and high energy physics have undergone rapid development and have opened up pioneering technologies. Accelerators are also able to analyze or process materials with accelerated particles or emitted light, and thus have proved to be powerful frontier tools not only in chemistry, biology, engineering, medicine and other sciences but also in practical fields such as engineering technology, industry, medical treatment, and so on.

Thus, research by the use of accelerators not only comprises the basis of natural sciences but also exercises a wide ranging effect on the development of scientific and industrial technologies. The Government, recognizing the importance of accelerator science, endeavors to further promote relevant experimental research.

Today, large-scale accelerators are being built one after another in the United States. Europe, and the CIS. In Japan, active research at the world's top-level is being carried out mainly at the National Laboratory for High Energy Physics (an inter-university research institute) of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.

In the fall of 1986, the Laboratory completed the construction of a new electron-positron colliding accelerator that was then the world's highest energy accelerator, TRISTAN (960m in diameter; 60 GeV). In May 1987, Japan started full-scale research with the participation of American and Asian scientists, mainly for the search of new particles which would help identify the basic structure of matter.

Also, the Laboratory synchrotron radiation apparatus, a "Photon Factory" with a 2.5 GeV linac is the world's largest and most advanced of its kind, and is used to study the undiscovered micro-world of molecules and atoms by using powerful radiation ranging from X-rays to ultraviolet rays. It is employed in experimental applications in various disciplines of natural sciences as well as for research development by private companies. The Laboratory proton accelerator is also exercising its power, especially in the research and treatment of cancer by means of its proton beams.