Periodic Reporting for period 2 - I.FAST (Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-11-01 al 2024-04-30
Particle accelerators are a key asset of the European Research Area. A central element of many Research Infrastructures (RI’s) devoted to fundamental or applied science, they have a wide range of applications outside of science, in medicine, industry, and environment.
I.FAST aims at enhancing innovation in and from accelerator-based RI’s by developing a range of technologies common to multiple accelerator platforms, and by defining strategic roadmaps for future developments. I.FAST focuses its technological R&D on long-term sustainability of accelerator-based research, with the goal of developing more performant and affordable technologies, reducing power consumption and environmental impact. By involving industry as a co-innovation partner, I.FAST will generate an innovation ecosystem around the accelerator-based RI’s that will sustain the long-term evolution of accelerator technologies in Europe.
I.FAST aims at enhancing innovation in and from accelerator-based RI’s by developing a range of technologies common to multiple accelerator platforms, and by defining strategic roadmaps for future developments. I.FAST focuses its technological R&D on long-term sustainability of accelerator-based research, with the goal of developing more performant and affordable technologies, reducing power consumption and environmental impact. By involving industry as a co-innovation partner, I.FAST will generate an innovation ecosystem around the accelerator-based RI’s that will sustain the long-term evolution of accelerator technologies in Europe.
The I.FAST activities in its first three years progressed in all strategic directions outlined in the proposal. Main achievements concerned:
Identify and promote new concepts and technologies for future accelerators.
The idea of a muon collider as future option for particle physics is progressing thanks to the initial thrust of I.FAST and its study group is now part of larger European effort. Other potentially game-changing uses of advanced accelerator concepts in high-energy physics were identified and explored, namely dielectric laser acceleration of single electron for indirect dark sector searches, and high-gradient plasma acceleration of pions and muons. I.FAST played a coordination role in the European developments of novel laser and plasma accelerators and performed experiments on new targets and improved stabilization methods.
New technologies for future accelerators were explored, in particular Machine Learning to improve performance, and Additive Manufacturing (AM). The highlight is the AM production of a series of prototypes of Radio Frequency Quadrupole accelerating structures made in pure copper. This world premiere was the subject of several publications and was presented at conferences and industrial exhibitions. Further optimization and characterization of the prototypes is ongoing. Other applications of AM were identified in the critical field of ion sources, and for repair of faulty accelerator components. Deposition of superconducting thin films on different substrates was achieved and tested, with the goal of improving performance and reducing power consumption of accelerating systems.
Production in collaboration with industry, of prototypes for accelerator components beyond state of the art, with impact on accelerator performance and sustainability.
In total, within I.FAST are in production seven prototypes:
- new Standing Wave electron gun of linear electron accelerators for photon production: first prototype completed and tested with high power, improved version in construction.
- dipole magnet with longitudinal varying field for improved synchrotron light sources: design completed, construction ongoing.
- compact accelerating structure of electron linear accelerators for photon production: components machined, final assembly started.
- two superconducting magnet demonstrators for compact synchrotrons for cancer therapy, low and high temperature: design completed, manufacturing technologies defined, superconducting cable procured, assembly starting.
- klystron (microwave power source for accelerating cavities) prototype with higher energy efficiency: components procured and assembly progressing.
- low-consumption quadrupole made with permanent magnets: redesign to reduce cost completed, components procured, assembly progressing.
The Innovation Fund for new innovative technologies with an impact on accelerator sustainability, launched during Period 1, is supporting 8 new developments in collaboration with industry. These concern high-temperature superconductivity, permanent magnet solenoids, new cathodes for industrial accelerators, pulse compressors for improving laser plasma acceleration, high-power efficient powering systems, additive manufacturing for ion sources and large vacuum chambers.
Improve sustainability of accelerators.
Studies provided precise criteria to define accelerators’ environmental impact and methodologies to assess it for the entire lifecycle of a facility.
Explore new applications of accelerators.
A strategy document for implementing societal applications of accelerators was completed and distributed inside and outside of the accelerator community. The accelerator requirements for sludge and biohazard treatment were defined, and plans for an experimental installation produced. An ion source for radioisotope production was successfully assembled and tested.
The I.FAST “Challenge-Based Innovation” has completed its second edition. Multidisciplinary teams of university students have proposed innovative ideas for using accelerator technologies for the environment. The selected projects concerned stopping eutrophication in lakes using an electron beam, and using accelerators to sort fabrics prior to recycling.
Enhance industry involvement in accelerator R&D.
Several workshops with industry resulted in the establishment of a permanent forum with industry that will last after the end of the Project. New industrial partners joined the activities, to contribute to Additive Manufacturing studies and to the activities of the Innovation Fund.
Identify and promote new concepts and technologies for future accelerators.
The idea of a muon collider as future option for particle physics is progressing thanks to the initial thrust of I.FAST and its study group is now part of larger European effort. Other potentially game-changing uses of advanced accelerator concepts in high-energy physics were identified and explored, namely dielectric laser acceleration of single electron for indirect dark sector searches, and high-gradient plasma acceleration of pions and muons. I.FAST played a coordination role in the European developments of novel laser and plasma accelerators and performed experiments on new targets and improved stabilization methods.
New technologies for future accelerators were explored, in particular Machine Learning to improve performance, and Additive Manufacturing (AM). The highlight is the AM production of a series of prototypes of Radio Frequency Quadrupole accelerating structures made in pure copper. This world premiere was the subject of several publications and was presented at conferences and industrial exhibitions. Further optimization and characterization of the prototypes is ongoing. Other applications of AM were identified in the critical field of ion sources, and for repair of faulty accelerator components. Deposition of superconducting thin films on different substrates was achieved and tested, with the goal of improving performance and reducing power consumption of accelerating systems.
Production in collaboration with industry, of prototypes for accelerator components beyond state of the art, with impact on accelerator performance and sustainability.
In total, within I.FAST are in production seven prototypes:
- new Standing Wave electron gun of linear electron accelerators for photon production: first prototype completed and tested with high power, improved version in construction.
- dipole magnet with longitudinal varying field for improved synchrotron light sources: design completed, construction ongoing.
- compact accelerating structure of electron linear accelerators for photon production: components machined, final assembly started.
- two superconducting magnet demonstrators for compact synchrotrons for cancer therapy, low and high temperature: design completed, manufacturing technologies defined, superconducting cable procured, assembly starting.
- klystron (microwave power source for accelerating cavities) prototype with higher energy efficiency: components procured and assembly progressing.
- low-consumption quadrupole made with permanent magnets: redesign to reduce cost completed, components procured, assembly progressing.
The Innovation Fund for new innovative technologies with an impact on accelerator sustainability, launched during Period 1, is supporting 8 new developments in collaboration with industry. These concern high-temperature superconductivity, permanent magnet solenoids, new cathodes for industrial accelerators, pulse compressors for improving laser plasma acceleration, high-power efficient powering systems, additive manufacturing for ion sources and large vacuum chambers.
Improve sustainability of accelerators.
Studies provided precise criteria to define accelerators’ environmental impact and methodologies to assess it for the entire lifecycle of a facility.
Explore new applications of accelerators.
A strategy document for implementing societal applications of accelerators was completed and distributed inside and outside of the accelerator community. The accelerator requirements for sludge and biohazard treatment were defined, and plans for an experimental installation produced. An ion source for radioisotope production was successfully assembled and tested.
The I.FAST “Challenge-Based Innovation” has completed its second edition. Multidisciplinary teams of university students have proposed innovative ideas for using accelerator technologies for the environment. The selected projects concerned stopping eutrophication in lakes using an electron beam, and using accelerators to sort fabrics prior to recycling.
Enhance industry involvement in accelerator R&D.
Several workshops with industry resulted in the establishment of a permanent forum with industry that will last after the end of the Project. New industrial partners joined the activities, to contribute to Additive Manufacturing studies and to the activities of the Innovation Fund.
New accelerator concepts like plasma accelerators or muon colliders could completely transform the field of particle accelerators, allowing the construction of accelerators at lower cost and footprint than present technologies, strongly impacting particle physics and other fields of science. Bringing up these technologies will require more years and larger resources than those available in an Horizon project, but I.FAST is making its part in promoting and directing the research in this field and in developing critical components like the nozzles for plasma acceleration.
Superconductivity is a key technology for building accelerators at lower cost and lower power consumption. The I.FAST development of innovative superconducting coatings is well beyond state of the art; coating procedures have been developed and are thoroughly tested. The development of superconducting magnets for small synchrotrons may drastically reduce the cost of accelerators for carbon ion therapy, making this cutting-edge cancer treatment available to a larger fraction of the population.
Use of high-efficiency power sources and permanent magnets are strategic directions to reduce the electricity consumption of present and future particle accelerators. The I.FAST developments have the potential to make accelerator-based science more sustainable in a world were energy is becoming a precious resource.
The application to accelerators of 3D printing technologies, so far slowed by the need to use high-purity metals, may drastically reduce production times and cost for small accelerators improving at the same time their performance. The prototypes produced by I.FAST will have an impact well beyond science since small accelerators are commonly used in medicine and industry. This innovative technology will make accelerator technologies more accessible, to provide cutting-edge medical treatments and improve industrial testing and production.
Superconductivity is a key technology for building accelerators at lower cost and lower power consumption. The I.FAST development of innovative superconducting coatings is well beyond state of the art; coating procedures have been developed and are thoroughly tested. The development of superconducting magnets for small synchrotrons may drastically reduce the cost of accelerators for carbon ion therapy, making this cutting-edge cancer treatment available to a larger fraction of the population.
Use of high-efficiency power sources and permanent magnets are strategic directions to reduce the electricity consumption of present and future particle accelerators. The I.FAST developments have the potential to make accelerator-based science more sustainable in a world were energy is becoming a precious resource.
The application to accelerators of 3D printing technologies, so far slowed by the need to use high-purity metals, may drastically reduce production times and cost for small accelerators improving at the same time their performance. The prototypes produced by I.FAST will have an impact well beyond science since small accelerators are commonly used in medicine and industry. This innovative technology will make accelerator technologies more accessible, to provide cutting-edge medical treatments and improve industrial testing and production.