Bio
Robert F Welton, PhD is a senior research scientist in the Research Accelerator Division of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He holds a Bachelor, Master and PhD degree in physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology with specialization in engineering, chemistry and applied optics. After coming to ORNL in the mid 1990s, he first received international recognition for the development of ion source technology which enabled the acceleration of rare radioactive isotopes which, among other applications, helped solve the mystery of the distribution of heavy elements in the universe, a longstanding challenge in the field of nuclear astrophysics.
In 2000 he joined the SNS where, working both at ORNL and Berkeley National Laboratory, he was instrumental in the development of the ion source which was critical to allowing the SNS project to be completed on-time and within budget enabling years of diverse, high-impact science. Over the following years, Dr. Welton has made numerous contributions to the field of ion source physics and technology which, together with the efforts of the ion source team, led to world-leading ion source performance and contributed to the unprecedented operational availability of the SNS. He authored or coauthored over 125 journal and international conference research articles, won many high-level awards and accolades, and currently serves on ORNL and International committees which determined future directions of R&D in ion sources and related fields.
During this time Dr. Welton also served the area community through volunteer work which includes, the Camera Club of Oak Ridge (president 2013-2016), the Children’s museum of Oak Ridge (vice President of the board 2021), Emory Valley Center, Museum of Science and Energy, CASA, United Way, Rotary Clubs, Dogwood Arts, Linden Elementary School, Boy Scouts of America and the Secret City Festival of Oak Ridge.