ICFA Beam Dynamics Mini-Workshop: Machine Learning Applications for Particle Accelerators

Dates: Tuesday, February 27 through Friday, March 2, 2018
Location: Trinity Conference Room, Building 53, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA

We are pleased to announce the first ICFA mini-workshop on Machine Learning, to be held at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California, from February 27 to March 2. The goal of this workshop is to help build a world-wide community of researchers interested in applying machine learning techniques to particle accelerators.  The workshop will be split into four sequential topics:

1. Tuning/optimization/control

2. Prognostics/alarm handling/anomaly-breakout detection

3. Data analysis

4. Simulations/modeling

Talks will include both accelerator physicists and computer scientists.  This workshop has the following goals:

• Collect and unify the community’s understanding of the relevant state-of-the-art ML techniques.

• Provide a simple tutorial of machine learning for accelerator physicists and engineers. 

• Seed collaborations between laboratories, academia, and industry. 

• Author a whitepaper explaining the current opportunities for ML techniques in particle accelerators, with a few  illustrative examples. This whitepaper should explain why now is the time for the community to fully embrace ML alongside optimization as the modern way to aid particle accelerator design and operation. 

Given the early state of machine learning at accelerator facilities, we will place a heavy emphasis on discussions, collaboration planning, and poster sessions, with only a few general talks.  Those interested are encouraged to join a day of tutorials on Tuesday, February 27.  The main workshop will begin on Wednesday, February 28.  Due to limited space, this workshop is by invitation only.  Please contact the organizers if you are interested to attend.

Registration is now closed.