HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Dr. Börge Larsson

Gustaf Werner Institute for Nuclear Chemistry

Uppsala, Sweden

Dear Dr. Larsson:

The Harvard cyclotron has been operating since January 1, 1968, on a severely limited schedule, mostly for medical irradiations. It is scheduled to shut down for good at the end of June and we are urging the Office of Naval research to commence its removal as soon thereafter as possible.

The Office of Naval Research is extremely short of funds and is anxious to recover from the disposition of the cyclotron as much as possible of the estimated cost, about $200,000, of removing the cyclotron and its reinforced concrete shielding from the building and “restoring the premise,” in accordance with its contractual obligation to Harvard.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Brookhaven laboratories are both interested in acquiring the magnet, the former merely to use the steel for shielding, the latter to use the frame, with new coils, to construct a large beam control magnet. Neither has made a firm offer yet, but both are expected to do so soon. It is my personal guess that neither will be able to pay as much as $100,000.

I have been asked to inquire of you informally whether or not the Research Institute for Physics or any other Swedish group is still interested in obtaining the cyclotron. As I understand it U. S. government regulations require that the Office of Naval Research transfer the cyclotron preferentially to a U. S. organization, but that if a substantially larger financial offer is received from a foreign source, there is a good chance that a way might be found to accept it.

It is important that we have an answer promptly. If there is definitely no Swedish interest in acquiring the cyclotron at a cost in this neighborhood, we would appreciate a reply by cable. If on the other hand you still are interested, additional time can certainly be allowed forfurther discussion.

Beat regards to your family.

Sincerely

W. M. Preston

Director, Physics Laboratories

WMP:mb