High Magnetic Field Science and Its Application in the United States: Current Status and Future Directions (2013)
Chapter: Appendix A: Charge to the Committee
The committee will assess the needs of the U.S. research community for high magnetic fields. The committee will determine the status and identify trends in the use of high magnetic fields throughout science and technology.
1. What is the current state of high-field magnet science, engineering, and technology in the United States, and are there any conspicuous needs to be addressed?
2. What are the current science drivers and which scientific opportunities and challenges can be anticipated over the next ten years?
3. What are the principal existing and planned high magnetic field facilities outside of the United States, what roles have U.S. high-field magnet development efforts played in developing those facilities, and what potentials exist for further international collaboration in this area?
Based on this assessment, the committee will provide guidance for the future of both magnetic-field research and technology development in the United States. It will address trends in the disciplinary makeup of the user base and consider how the infrastructure should be optimized to meet the needs of the next decades.
1. On what areas of magnetic field research and development should the United States focus its efforts over the next decade?
2. What new capabilities should be provided in the United States (taking into account worldwide capabilities and any potential for international collaborations or cooperative arrangements)?
3. What is the best model for the infrastructure supporting high magnetic field science in the United States? Among the issues the committee might consider addressing are-
i. To what extent should facilities be centralized?
ii. Would the program benefit from distributing a portion of the high magnetic field capability to other locations?
iii. How should the issue of providing magnetic fields to light source and neutron facilities be handled? Conversely, what experimental capabilities should be co-located at high field labs?
iv. For facilities that remain centralized, should the programs remain divided among the current three locations or be combined?
v. What are the trends in providing support for outside users versus supporting in-house independent research programs and do those trends optimally meet the needs of the user base?
4. What is the best infrastructure model for supporting high magnetic field technology development and U.S. industrial competitiveness?
5. How can the operational and financial stewardship of the research and facilities be optimized to address changes in the disciplinary spectrum and user needs?
In responding to these questions, the committee may make recommendations on organizational structure, program balance, and funding.
