Los Alamos Replies

The article "Cruel Wind From The North For Los Alamos" that appeared in the October 17 issue of The Scientist (page 2) probably provided a service to your readers in bringing a sensitive and interesting issue to their attention. The Canadian government has approached the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeking $75 million to assist in the construction of a "kaon factory" in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are also seeking financial support from other countries interested in this area of research. Their proposal would use the present TRIUMF cyclotron as the injector stage of the proposed facility. The DOE and NSF have asked their Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) to provide input in formulating a response to the Canadian request. NSAC thereupon established a subcommittee that must assess, among other considerations, the impact of supporting the Canadian endeavor on present activities at the Los ...