UK University to upgrade CERN’s LHC
5 Sep 2016 by Evoluted New Media
CERN will receive vital upgrades to parts of the LHC from scientists at Huddersfield University.
CERN will receive vital upgrades to parts of the LHC from scientists at Huddersfield University.
CERN would like to increase the amount of data experiments can gather by improving the luminosity of the LHC. But first certain systems must be improved, such as collimators.Collimators ensure accelerated particle beams travelling around the LHC cannot veer off course by absorbing stray particles, preventing damage to the LHC. Researchers from the University of Huddersfield believe they can improve upon the current design of collimators — which have two opposing jaws created from a carbon fibre reinforced carbon composite — by adding sensors.
Dr Simon Fletcher, from the Centre for Precision Technology at University of Huddersfield, said: “Simulations and operational experience show that the jaws can lose their straightness over long operating periods and during highly energetic impact events, which affects the performance and the efficiency. We are therefore proposing to add sensors that pick up any distortion and we will design and install some actuators that will then deform the jaws to make them straight again.”
In conjunction with Professor Roger Barlow, also from the University of Huddersfield, they have been awarded £640,000 from CERN and the UK Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC). The researchers will undertake a three year period of research to produce a new collimator prototype.The prototype will be developed at the University with the use of in house machining and metrology facilities as well as assistance from local firms
