Particle Accelerators (ACC)

particle accelerator propels charged particles, such as protons or electrons, close to the speed of light. They are then smashed either onto a target or against other particles circulating in the opposite direction. By studying these collisions, physicists are able to probe the world of the infinitely small.

How does an accelerator work?

Accelerators use electromagnetic fields to accelerate and steer particles. Radiofrequency cavities boost the particle beams, while magnets focus the beams and bend their trajectory. In a circular accelerator, the particles repeat the same circuit for as long as necessary, getting an energy boost at each turn. In theory, the energy could be increased over and over again. However, the more energy the particles have, the more powerful the magnetic fields have to be to keep them in their circular orbit. A linear accelerator, on the contrary, is exclusively formed of accelerating structures since the particles do not need to be deflected, but they only benefit from a single acceleration pass. In this case, increasing the energy means increasing the length of the accelerator.

Ground-breaking method to lift limitation on beam current in Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) developed

Paper on Beam Breakup Instability in ERLs selected as Editor’s Suggestion in Physical Review – Accelerators and Beams

Issue 37
21 July, 2021

International collaboration brings antimatter research to the next level

EU-funded AVA project provided excellent framework for world-class antimatter research and pioneered new ways of training early career researchers

Issue 37
20 July, 2021

CERN Accelerator School 2021: Introduction to Accelerator Physics

Registration is open until 18 August for the CERN Accelerator School’s course “Introduction to Accelerator Physics”, 25 September - 8 October 2021, Chavannes de Bogis

Issue 37
15 June, 2021

Experiment reveals new options for synchrotron light sources

An international team of accelerator experts have used a laser to manipulate electron bunches at PTB's Metrology Light Source so that they emitted intense light pulses having a laser-like character.

Issue 36
24 February, 2021

The superconducting coils for the 11T dipoles have been delivered

35 niobium–tin superconducting coils have been manufactured as part of a fruitful collaboration with the company General Electric. They will be used in the 11 T dipoles for the HL-LHC.

Issue 36
28 April, 2021

LS2 Report: Getting ready for the future of physics in the East Area

Upgraded beam lines will support existing and new collaborations in an environmentally savvy manner in one of CERN’s oldest facilities.

Issue 36
26 January, 2021

Announcing the 12th Workshop on Accelerators Operation

The 12th Workshop on Accelerators Operation will be held virtually from October 5th to Oct 8th, 2021, organized by the ALBA Synchrotron (Barcelona, Spain).

Issue 36
27 April, 2021

Superconducting magnets masterclass: an opportunity born from adverse times

Against the challenges of the first wave of the pandemic, from May to October 2020, CERN's MSC group organised a masterclass on the design of superconducting magnets for particle colliders.

Issue 35
26 January, 2021

New schedule for CERN’s accelerators and experiments

The schedule for the current long shutdown (LS2) has had to be modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Issue 35
27 November, 2020

LS2 Report: Review of a rather unusual year

COVID-19 has undoubtedly had an impact on the activities and schedule of LS2. Nevertheless, the accelerators are now starting up again

Issue 35
14 December, 2020