Üsküdar University Students Examined Turkey’s First Superconducting Electron Accelerator On-site

Students of the Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) Nuclear Technology and Radiation Safety Program visited the Turkish Accelerator and Radiation Laboratory (TARLA), which is Turkey's first national research infrastructure based on a superconducting electron accelerator. The students received information about accelerator technologies, radiation safety, and advanced research infrastructures from scientists who are experts in the field, and had the opportunity to examine one of Turkey's strategic scientific investments on-site.

Students of the Nuclear Technology and Radiation Safety Program visited the Turkish Accelerator and Radiation Laboratory, operating in Gölbaşı, Ankara, accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Feride Kulalı Özdek, Deputy Director of SHMYO, and Instructor Dilek Aker, Head of the Program.

Within the scope of the technical tour held at TARLA, which is Turkey's first national research infrastructure based on a superconducting electron accelerator, students had the opportunity to gain comprehensive information about accelerator technologies, radiation safety, cryogenic systems, and the research capacity of the laboratory.

Career Opportunities Explained to Students

Greeting the students during the visit, TARLA Facility Manager Dr. Özlem Karslı provided information about the laboratory's operational structure. Karslı stated that graduates of the Nuclear Technology and Radiation Safety Program could undertake important roles in advanced technology research centers like TARLA in the future, and expressed that the need for qualified radiation safety technicians will increase in the coming period.

Accelerator Technologies Introduced On-site

Dr. Hüseyin Yıldız, who delivered the technical presentation, explained the basic operating principles of accelerator technologies, the facility infrastructure, and the systems used to the students in detail.

Following the presentation, the Accelerator and Laser Facility was toured, and the Electron Gun, Injector Line, Superconducting Cryomodules, and Bunch Compression Systems were examined on-site. Thanks to the absence of ongoing experiments, students had the opportunity to closely observe the Electron Accelerator and irradiation systems.

Additionally, technical information was shared about the 2.5-meter-thick armored radiation safety doors used at the facility entrances to protect against radiation that might occur during acceleration experiments.

Many Technologies, from Cryogenic Systems to Free Electron Laser, Introduced

Within the scope of the visit, the Helium Cryogenic System was introduced by Mechanical Engineer Hamdi Vural. The importance of the cryogenic infrastructure, which keeps superconducting accelerators at the required operating temperature, was conveyed to the students.

Dr. Hüseyin Yıldız, on the other hand, while providing information about high-power and low-level radio frequency control systems, explained the ongoing installation of the Free Electron Laser infrastructure and the operating principle of high-intensity beams obtained by guiding accelerated electrons within magnetic fields.

Within the scope of the program, dosimeters and dose monitoring systems used at the laboratory entrance were also introduced, emphasizing the importance of personal dose monitoring in radiation safety.

The Story of TARLA's Establishment Was Told

Prof. Ömer Yavaş, who is among the founders of the TARLA project, also accompanied the students throughout the visit. Yavaş, who shared the process from the conceptual stage of this strategic research infrastructure of Turkey to the achievement of the first electron beam, explained the scientific and technical challenges encountered during the project.

Prof. Ömer Yavaş: “No wind helps a ship that does not know its destination”

Stating that Turkey is among the few countries today with superconducting electron accelerator technology, Yavaş also drew attention to the importance of career planning for students. Prof. Yavaş emphasized the importance of setting goals, focusing on scientific production, and working with determination despite the challenges encountered. Yavaş said; “No wind helps a ship that does not know its destination.”

Turkey's Strategic Research Infrastructure Examined On-site

TARLA, which was initiated within Ankara University and continues its activities today as an independent national research infrastructure, hosts advanced research conducted in many fields, especially drug development, health technologies, defense industry, biotechnology, material science, and engineering.

The laboratory, which makes significant contributions to Turkey's scientific research infrastructure, also holds the distinction of being the first completed research facility of the larger-scale Turkish Accelerator Center vision.

Message of Cooperation Given

At the end of the visit, possible academic collaborations and protocol studies that could be carried out between Üsküdar University and TARLA were evaluated. At the end of the program, certificates of appreciation were presented to Prof. Ömer Yavaş and Dr. Özlem Karslı.

The students who participated in the technical tour, on the other hand, expressed their satisfaction at having the opportunity to examine one of Turkey's most important research infrastructures on-site, and stated that the visit was extremely instructive for both their professional development and career planning.