Oxygen tweaking may be key to accelerator optimization

Particle accelerators are pricey, but their cost comes with good reason: These one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art machines are intricately designed and constructed to help us solve mysteries about what makes up our universe. Still, the scientists and engineers building these machines must do their best to save where they can. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility are supporting this mission by figuring out how to optimize cavities, one of the most critical parts of an accelerator.