HARVARD UNIVERSITY

March 19, 1969

Mr. R. E. Gentry, Director

Office for Research Contracts

Holyoke Center 458

1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Dear Bob:

I am writing concerning the termination of use and the subsequent removal of the Harvard Cyclotron.

The cyclotron was built and operated under a contract with the Office of Naval Research. It w as built in a Harvard University building and one of the agreements made at the time of construction was that when its use was terminated, the Office of Naval Research would remove the cyclotron and re­store the building.

The Harvard Physics Department needs the building now occupied by the cyclotron for the continuing program in high energy physics. At present the only physics use of the cyclotron is occasional bombardments to prepare radioactive sources for Professor Bainbridge. This use will be terminated on or before December 31, 1969. It is the decision of the Harvard Physics Department that the cyclotron be remove and the building restored as soon as possible.

The cyclotron is, however, being used several times a month by a group from the Massachusetts General Hospital which is lead by Dr. R. N. Kjellberg. They are using the proton beam to do surgery deep inside the skull, to treat certain kinds of tumors and to develop techniques for treating dis­eases which cannot be cured by present methods. Professor Wilson, Dr. Preston, and I met with Dr. Kjellberg last January and discussed their continuing need for the cyc1otron and the desire of the Physics Department to free this space.

It was concluded at the meeting that unless some additional source of funds can be provided by the medical group for supporting the cyclotron and for providing the equivalent useful research space for the high energy physic group elsewhere, the present mode of operation of the cyclotron be terminated on or before June 30, 1970. Those present at the meeting were not optimistic that a sufficient sum of money could be found.

As a result, I request on behalf of the Harvard Physics Department that you proceed to ask the Navy to start removing the cyclotron and restoring the building on July 1, 1970. This should be sufficient notice that firm plant can be made to start removal operations at that time.

Sincerely,

F. M. Pipkin, Chairman

High Energy Physic Committee

FMP:pm^c

cc: Dr. W. M. Preston

Prof. J. C. Street

Dean Franklin Ford

Dr. R. N.Kjellberg

Prof. R. Wilson

Prof. R. V.Pound