CERN awake particle accelerator

Overview

The CERN Awake collaboration set out to explore the design of next generation linear particle accelerators. These aim to provide higher accelerations over shorter distances compared to current accelerators like the famous Large Hadron Collider at CERN. GWA , alongside its long term collaborator WDL , were responsible for the system design implementation and delivery of a 1500 Kg 10-meter rubidium plasma cell inside which the experiment was undertaken.  Operating at 230C , the cell uses a phenomena known as a plasma wakefield to accelerate particles. Alongside the system design, extensive safety controls were needed to deal with combined hazards of extreme high temperature, highly reactive alkaline metals and radiation.

Take a tour of the overall installation courtesy of CERN.

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=21e5ne2M9TV

The experiment successfully accelerated particles in late 2017 and was subsequently published in Nature.

We are now working on the next version of the accelerator

Involvement

• Project Management
• System Design
• Safety case development and DFMEA
• Electrical design , construction and test of control systems 
• On site commissioning at CERN