Particle accelerators

Particle acceleration solutions

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.).

Beam synchronous timing
Beam synchronous timing - Ultralow phase noise microwave and radio frequency (RF) signal sources are vital for efficient and effective operation of any particle accelerator. Whether you are looking into low-loss acceleration, constant energy beam generation, efficient injection (linear to circular) or implementing a certain beam time structure (single, few, multibunch, etc.) or other applications, the R&S®FSWP phase noise analyzer provides extremely high sensitivity for phase noise measurements and monitoring.
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Beam quality safety interlock system
Beam quality safety interlock system - With the constant need for even higher beam energy and more luminosity, safety requirements become increasingly important and challenging. Even a marginal loss of beam into any part of the accelerator will cause damage, such as rupturing the machine vacuum or destroying one or more dipole magnets, resulting in costly repairs and weeks of downtime. In addition, the continuous top-up operation of synchrotron light sources requires a fully automated injection process. These requirements drive major changes in the control system and implicate the need for a highly reliable safety interlock system. The R&S®RTO is at the very heart of the system solution to address your safety requirements
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Central beam monitoring
Central beam monitoring - Experiments in accelerator physics demand very accurate measurements of pulse parameters or of the jitter between two signals. For instance, the pulse shape of RF pulses is continuously monitored to prevent damage to any of the accelerator’s klystrons or dipole magnets. This requires that every single pulse be captured and that the data be continuously recorded – a challenging task considering that the latest generation of free electron lasers (FEL) increases the pulse rate to 100 Hz. The R&S®RTO allows waveforms to be acquired and downloaded to a PC at rates of up to 100 Hz, ensuring that you do not lose a single pulse.
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Precision and efficiency in RF signal transmission and amplification
Precision and efficiency in RF signal transmission and amplification - Today's high-power RF sources with frequency ranges from 10 kHz to 50 GHz and power requirements in the 10 kW to 2 MW range are typically obtained by combining a series of vacuum tubes (tetrodes, klystrons, etc.) with high-power VHF/UHF transmitters and amplifiers. The Rohde&Schwarz families of highly efficient transmitters and broadband amplifiers meet these challenges and address the demand for highest amplitude and phase stability, lowest phase noise, top energy efficiency, small footprint and a modular design.
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Master your particle acceleration test challenges

Building and operating a particle accelerator comes with many complex challenges, and overcoming them requires collaboration between physicists, engineers, and technicians.

Key challenges for particle acceleration include:

  • Efficient and effective accelerator operation
  • Low-loss acceleration
  • Constant energy beam generation
  • Efficient particle injection (linear to circular)
  • Implementing specific beam time structure
  • Accurate measurement of pulse parameters or the jigger between two signals
  • Maintaining high beam quality

Explore particle acceleration solutions

Rohde & Schwarz offers proven solutions to meet the complex challenges of particle accelerator testing. We provide support for the entire testing cycle - from development all the way to operation.

Our portfolio covers equipment for:

  • High-energy particle acceleration (e.g., in LINAC, booster and storage ring)
  • Continuous beam quality monitoring at high frequencies (100 Hz)
  • Beam stabilization
  • Phase noise measurement
  • System optimization and adjustment
  • Development and verification of accelerator-specific components

Products

R&S®FSWP phase noise analyzer and VCO tester

High-end signal and spectrum analyzer and phase noise tester in one box

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R&S®RTO6 oscilloscope

Rich measurement toolset combined with a streamlined user interface

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R&S broadband amplifiers

Innovative, compact solid-state solutions with exceptional RF performance

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R&S®NRX power meter

Unprecedented accuracy and measurement speed at low levels (down to 70 dbm)

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R&S®MXO 5 Oscilloscope

Next generation oscilloscope: evolved for more challenges.

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Benefits of our particle acceleration solutions

Rohde & Schwarz has a long tradition of excellence in test and measurement solutions. We work with research partners around the world to develop the best solutions for particle acceleration. Our global service and support network is also a decisive benefit when providing local expertise and on-site support.

Choose our solutions and enjoy:

  • Efficient, high-speed measurements
  • Excellent energy efficiency
  • High beamline quality and stability
  • Easy configuration and operation
  • Worldwide service network for ongoing support and spare parts

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Featured Particle acceleration solution content

Solid-state amplifiers for LINAC, booster and storage ring

Solutions for high-energy particle acceleration

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Beam quality safety interlock system

Solutions for precise beam stabilization and monitoring

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Case study: Mobile network monitoring in CERN

Large-scale, 24/7 mobile quality monitoring and service level verification

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