Among the recommendations in President Bush's federal budget proposal for fiscal year 2004, announced on February 3, was one for the termination of Berkeley Lab's historic 88-Inch Cyclotron, which over its illustrious 40-year history has been one of the field's most productive facilities for the analysis of nuclear structure and behavior.
The Department of Energy's Office of Science Director, Ray Orbach, was quick to point out that the decision was not based on the cyclotron's performance. "It's a fabulous machine," he told reporters. "It has educated a large fraction of the physics community, and it's been one of the most productive machines we've had. But we just had to choose between it and other priorities in nuclear physics."
That comes as small consolation to the dozens of scientists, staff members, postdocs, and students who call the cyclotron home for their work. Senior Lab officials were taken off guard by the unexpected announcement and expressed "great disappointment" in the decision.
"If it weren't for the news about the 88-Inch, I would call this a positive budget for Berkeley Lab, under the circumstances," said Reid Edwards, head for Public Affairs at Berkeley Lab. "In a very difficult financial climate in Washington, I think we were treated fairly." He cautioned that the budget proposal for fiscal year 2004 is only the first step in a lengthy review process that includes Congressional hearings and committee counterproposals.