28 January 2016A crucial component of the European XFEL has taken up operation: The so-called injector, the 45-metre long first part of the superconducting particle accelerator, has accelerated its first electrons to nearly the speed of light. This is the first beam ever accelerated at the European XFEL and represents a major advancement toward the completion of the facility. The X-ray laser European XFEL is an international research facility in northern Germany that will produce ultrabright X-ray laser flashes for unprecedented studies of the nanocosmos. It consists of a 2-kilometre long superconducting linear electron accelerator, followed by a series of highly precise magnets to produce the highly brilliant X-ray laser light.
Rika Takahashi | 14 January 2016Japan's KEK laboratory took a step forward to realise the International Linear Collider on 6 January, issuing a “KEK-ILC Action Plan”. This plan blueprints how KEK should start its preparation towards the ILC when the Japanese government gives its green light for the project.
Category: Around the World | Tagged: ILC site, international laboratory, KEK, MEXT
Rika Takahashi | 10 December 2015Getting the best people from all over the world is one of the biggest challenges to realise the International Linear Collider, the next-generation electron-positron collider. That’s why there’s a new working group on human resources, called into being by Japan’s ILC Advisory Panel, to tackle the issue before the ILC has even been approved.
Category: Around the World | Tagged: Japan, MEXT, Technical Design Report
Ladislav Andricek | 25 November 2015They're all individuals: detectors for particle physics all look very different. However, some of the technologies they (plan to) use can be the same, as this example from Belle II hows: it uses a component originally designed for an ILC detector. An example of technology transfer from the future...
Category: Around the World | Tagged: Belle-II, DEPFET, detector R&D, KEK, MPI
12 November 2015Members of Fermilab's Technical Division are working on superconducting radio-frequency cavities that are shaped like squatty beads on straight string. These prone, uniformly bulging tubes accelerate the particle beams that shoot through their hollow insides. The team recently achieved a record-high quality factor with a fully dressed cavity for a SLAC-headed project, Linac Coherent Light Source II.
Ricarda Laasch | 15 October 2015From 14 to 18 September 334 physicists, engineers and technicians from all around the world made their way to Whistler, Canada, for the 17th International Conference on Superconducting Radiofrequency (SRF). The conference takes place every two years and shines a light upon all new developments in the different fields of superconducting cavities. It is the leading conference in this field of physics and discusses the actual state of the art of this technology. And right now it is a topic that progresses very fast.
Category: Around the World | Tagged: cavity, cryomodule, SRF technology
Ricarda Laasch | 1 October 2015Curious about ILC in Japan and the Higgs particle but not a physicist? Well not a problem! This little Youtube video gives answers to many questions. It is designed for school kids and will explain everything in an easy and short fashion. Also, it will introduce you to Higgs-kun - a ghost-like character representing the Higgs particle who is new at his school. So, take the time and watch this short video. You will see many interesting things!
Barbara Warmbein | 17 September 2015Calorimeter prototypes have been taking showers at CERN – particle showers, that is. Detector developers have just packed up their equipment after finishing a campaign to understand the time structure of hadron showers. And they are happy with what they achieved. Find out how a beer chiller played a role in the test beam as well…
Category: Around the World | Tagged: CALICE, calorimeter, CERN, DESY, detector R&D, Fermilab, KEK, MPI, particle flow, test beam
Barbara Warmbein | 3 September 2015Detector R&D for future projects has just received a boost in Germany. Six universities are receiving some 1.8 million Euros from the German ministry of education and research (BMBF) for the next three years – twice the amount that was available before. The project will concentrate on improving the time projection chamber for the ILD detector, one of the two planned ILC detector concepts, and the hadronic calorimeter based on SiPMs.
Category: Around the World | Tagged: BMBF, CALICE, detector R&D, Germany, ILD, LCTPC, SiPMs, TPC
Barbara Warmbein | 25 June 2015In spring, 1408 high school students answered a survey done by the Oshu International Relations Association. The survey asked whether they had heard about the ILC, what it meant to them and whether they had any worries or expectations. The results are fascinating and will have some influence on how the project will be communicated to locals if it gets approved.
Category: Around the World | Tagged: community work, Iwate, Japan, outreach, siting, Super B
