Uses of Superconductivity in Particle Accelerators

1. INTRODUCTION Progress in science is critically dependent on advances of its instruments. Accelerators are one of the principal instruments of high energy physics, and particle physics discoveries are often preceded by accelerator developments. Examples are the discovery of the T and one of the two independent discoveries of the J/v that followed the construction of SPEAR, the first modem e+e-storage ring, and the discovery of the Z and W's following the invention of stochastic cooling at CERN. Accelerators are pushing the limits of technology, and, therefore, technological progress can lead to particle physics discoveries through their impact on accelerators. These lectures are devoted to superconductivity. Superconductivity is a fascinating physics topic by itself.' but these lectures concentrate on it as a technology that is becoming increasingly important to high energy physics. The theme of this year's SLAC Summer Institute was lepton-hadron scattering. HERA, the next major lepton-hadron scattering facility, depends on superconductivity for the proton ring magnets and electron ring RF (Radio Frequency) accelerating system. That connects these lectures to the others at the Summer Institute.