Particle accelerator test equipment
Supporting the development of particle accelerators
Particle accelerators play a pivotal role in many cutting-edge research areas, ranging from fundamental scientific research to applied disciplines such as materials science or medicine. The technical components of these accelerators must meet the highest standards, especially in signal generation, signal amplification and electronic testing and measurement.
Rohde & Schwarz has over 80 years of experience in high-energy RF signal generation, signal amplification and state-of-the-art test and measurement solutions. We have built up long-lasting relationships within the global research community, offering our expertise and marketing-leading solutions to labs and institutions worldwide. From beam testing to safe particle storage, we have the background to help you address the highly sophisticated requirements of particle accelerator testing.
Beam testing and beam monitoring
Accelerator physics experiments in, for example, cyclotron or free-electron laser (FEL) labs require highly accurate measurements of pulse parameters. For example, the pulse shape of RF pulses must be continuously monitored to prevent damage to the accelerator’s klystrons or dipole magnets. This data must be continuously stored and downloaded at a high update rate - a challenging task, especially since the latest generation of FELs have a pulse rate of 100 Hz.
Particle injection and deflection
The continuous top-up operation of synchrotron light sources requires a fully automated particle injection process. In addition, the constant need for higher beam energy and more luminosity makes safety increasingly important. Even a marginal loss of beam in any part of the accelerator causes problems, such as machine vacuum rupture or dipole magnet damage. These requirements drive major control systems and necessitate a highly reliable safety interlock system, the base of which must be an oscilloscope capable of high frequency monitoring.
Efficient particle injection (linear to circular) requires ultralow phase noise microwave and RF signal sources. For this, a high sensitivity phase noise analyzer is necessary to measure and monitor the phase noise. Such an instrument is also invaluable for other applications, such as low-loss acceleration, constant energy beam generation and implementing a certain beam time structure (single, few, multibunch, etc.).
