Dr.Robert CHEHAB | Experimental methods | Best Innovation Award

Accelerator physicist at IN2P3/CNRS in France

Dr. Robert Chehab, born on October 22, 1937, in Alexandria, Egypt, is a renowned physicist specializing in accelerator physics. He holds French nationality and has had a prestigious academic and scientific career. Dr. Chehab completed his engineering degree from the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (now TELECOM-Paris-Tech) in 1963, followed by a PhD in Physical Sciences from Université d’Orsay in 1975. His work has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of positron sources, channeling radiation, and radiation physics. Over his career, he has collaborated with leading institutions such as CERN, KEK, DESY, and SLAC. As a scientist and educator, he has mentored PhD students in radiation and positron source research. Fluent in five languages, Dr. Chehab has contributed significantly to accelerator physics research globally.

Profile:

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Education:

Dr. Robert Chehab’s academic journey began at the École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (ENST), now known as TELECOM-Paris-Tech, where he obtained his engineering degree in 1963. His rigorous technical education at ENST laid the foundation for his subsequent focus on accelerator physics. In 1975, he earned his PhD (Docteur-Ingénieur en Sciences Physiques) from the Université d’Orsay. His PhD work explored fundamental concepts in radiation physics and beam dynamics, setting the stage for a prolific research career. Throughout his educational journey, Dr. Chehab showed a deep understanding of complex scientific phenomena such as Cherenkov radiation, positron sources, and channeling radiation, positioning himself as a leading figure in his field. His multidisciplinary expertise has also allowed him to maintain fluency in French, English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic, further enhancing his global scientific impact.

Professional experience:

Dr. Robert Chehab has accumulated extensive experience in both academic and international research environments. He has spent a significant portion of his career at Université Paris-Saclay, where he has led various research projects on accelerator physics. Dr. Chehab has worked in prestigious laboratories worldwide, including extended stays at KEK in Japan, where he conducted research on positron sources and channeling radiation. He also contributed to experiments at DESY in Germany, focusing on transition radiation, and collaborated with BINP-Novosibirsk on channeling radiation studies. His leadership at CERN, particularly in the WA 103 experiment, has cemented his reputation as a leader in accelerator and radiation physics. Additionally, Dr. Chehab has supervised PhD students and played a critical role in mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Research focus:

Dr. Robert Chehab’s research focuses primarily on accelerator physics, with an emphasis on radiation studies. His work spans various topics, including positron sources, channeling radiation, Cherenkov radiation, transition radiation, and photoemission. He has been actively involved in understanding and developing novel radiation physics techniques for advanced accelerator applications. Dr. Chehab’s research also delves into beam dynamics and RF deflectors, expanding the theoretical and practical frameworks of accelerator science. His notable collaborations with CERN on positron source development for the LEP experiment and SLAC on crystal radiator damage tests have pushed the boundaries of what is known about particle interactions with radiation. His work is essential for innovations in particle accelerators, helping to develop the technology used in numerous high-energy physics experiments.

Awards & Honor:

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Robert Chehab has been recognized for his contributions to accelerator physics and radiation studies. He has been involved in numerous international collaborations with esteemed institutions such as CERN, KEK, SLAC, and DESY, where his innovative research in positron sources and radiation physics has earned him accolades. Dr. Chehab’s leadership in major projects, such as the LEP positron source collaboration at CERN, has further solidified his stature in the scientific community. His research has been published in leading journals like Nuclear Instruments and Methods, Physical Review, and Physics Letters. While his awards and recognitions are primarily rooted in his research, his contribution to academic mentorship, especially his guidance of PhD students in advanced radiation physics, has been equally commendable. His work continues to impact both experimental methods and the broader scientific community.

Publication Top Notes:

• From bremsstrahlung to channeling radiation: A promising way for positron generation
  Chehab, R.
  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2024, 1060, 169056
  Citations: 0
• Advantages of hybrid positron sources with granular converters
  Chehab, R., Chaikovska, I., Alharthi, F., Wallon, S., Sievers, P.
  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2024, 1060, 168994
  Citations: 0
• Benchmarking the FCC-ee positron source simulation tools using the SuperKEKB results
  Alharthi, F., Chaikovska, I., Chehab, R., Miyahara, F., Mytrochenko, V.
  Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2024, 2687(2), 022010
  Citations: 0
• Radiation in oriented crystals: Innovative application to future positron sources
  Soldani, M., Alharthi, F., Bandiera, L., Sytov, A., Tikhomirov, V.
  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2024, 1058, 168828
  Citations: 1
• Crystal-based pair production for a lepton collider positron source
  Bandiera, L., Bomben, L., Camattari, R., Tikhomirov, V., Vallazza, E.
  European Physical Journal C, 2022, 82(8), 699
  Citations: 6
• Positron sources: From conventional to advanced accelerator concepts-based colliders
  Chaikovska, I., Chehab, R., Kubytskyi, V., Hogan, M.J., Martyshkin, P.
  Journal of Instrumentation, 2022, 17(5), P05015
  Citations: 12
• HE-LHC: The High-Energy Large Hadron Collider: Future Circular Collider Conceptual Design Report Volume 4
  Abada, A., Abbrescia, M., AbdusSalam, S.S., Zupan, J., Zurita, J.
  European Physical Journal: Special Topics, 2019, 228(5), pp. 1109–1382
  Citations: 159
• FCC-hh: The Hadron Collider: Future Circular Collider Conceptual Design Report Volume 3
  Abada, A., Abbrescia, M., AbdusSalam, S.S., Zupan, J., Zurita, J.
  European Physical Journal: Special Topics, 2019, 228(4), pp. 755–1107
  Citations: 501
• FCC Physics Opportunities: Future Circular Collider Conceptual Design Report Volume 1
  Abada, A., Abbrescia, M., AbdusSalam, S.S., Zupan, J., Zurita, J.
  European Physical Journal C, 2019, 79(6), 474
  Citations: 540
• FCC-ee: The Lepton Collider: Future Circular Collider Conceptual Design Report Volume 2
  Abada, A., Abbrescia, M., AbdusSalam, S.S., Zupan, J., Zurita, J.
  European Physical Journal: Special Topics, 2019, 228(2), pp. 261–623
  Citations: 619

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