PSI sets world record with 1.4 MW proton beam
© 2011 EPFL
The highest average power proton beam in the world was produced on 20th of June in the 580 MeV cyclotron at Paul Scherrer Institute. Extremely low beam losses achieved in this 35 years old veteran cyclotron allowed PSI team of accelerator scientists and engineers to put 1.4 MW beam of protons onto the muon and neutron spallation targets. This beam is used to produce the brightest beam of muons in the world, as well as supply neutrons for the spallation source SINQ.
Neutrons are a powerful tool for investigattion of the static and dynamical properties of condensed matter on atomic scale. Present and future sources like SINQ at PSI, Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) in Oakridge, Tennessie, USA and the future European Spallation Source (ESS) planned to be built near Lund, Sweden require powerful proton beams to create intense sources of neutrons. With 1.4 MW average power proton beam PSI produces the most powerful beam of protons in the world today. Several EPFL laboratories use the large research facilities at PSI to carry out investigations of novel materials properties, using most advanced sources of muons, neutrons and photons.