On Oct. 21, the PIP-II Injector Test Facility accelerated proton beam through its superconducting section for the first time. At this test bed for the upcoming PIP-II superconducting accelerator, collaborators will test novel particle accelerator physics concepts and technologies to be deployed in the high-tech front section of PIP-II, the future heart of the laboratory accelerator complex. The milestone achievement also marks the start of a new era at Fermilab of proton beam delivery using superconducting accelerators.
accelerator technology
On Sept. 17, IARC at Fermilab hosted a workshop on medical device sterilization that focused on accelerator-sourced radiation. The workshop, titled Medical Device Sterilization: Continuing the Conversation, served as a virtual bridge between last year’s successful in-person event, the Midwest Medical Device Sterilization Workshop, and a future in-person workshop.
From Tech Briefs, Oct. 1, 2020: Fermilab has developed a high-power, high-energy, superconducting radio-frequency electron gun for advanced metal additive manufacturing applications. The novel design is based on a technique that eliminates liquid helium entirely and dramatically reduces the complexity of the system.
From University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sept. 28, 2020: Getting blasted with proton beams takes a toll on accelerator targets. As researchers begin to consider upgrading existing accelerators and building more powerful models, the durability of those devices is a major concern. University scientists are working with Fermilab in a new collaboration to study and improve the durability of targets and target windows, which will be important for neutrino experiments such as the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, hosted by Fermilab.
Fermilab and partners in northern Illinois have established the region as a leader in particle accelerator science and technology. Few places in the world boast such a concentrated effort in particle acceleration research, developing and building cutting-edge particle accelerators, and growing an accelerator-focused workforce.
IARC at Fermilab’s “Five Buckets” represent the five major activities that make up the IARC mission and strategy. Some of these buckets are an extension or continuation of the team’s work over the last five years. Others are new efforts and initiatives. All will increase the lab’s already great impact on the world.