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Fundamentals of particle accelerator technology (NPAP MOOC)

Approx. 26 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn about the fundamentals of particle accelerator technology and its applications in various fields such as medicine, energy, and science. This course covers the principles behind the design and operation of particle accelerators, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the field.

Key Learning Points

Understand the principles of particle accelerator technology and its applications
Learn about different types of particle accelerators and their uses
Explore the challenges and opportunities in the field

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

Accelerator Physicist
- USA: $95,000
- India: ₹6,50,000
- Spain: €45,000
Beam Physicist
- USA: $105,000
- India: ₹8,00,000
- Spain: €50,000
Accelerator Engineer
- USA: $85,000
- India: ₹5,50,000
- Spain: €40,000

Learning Outcomes

Understand the principles of particle accelerator technology
Learn about the different types of particle accelerators and their uses
Explore the challenges and opportunities in the field

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of physics and mathematics
Familiarity with scientific research methods

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video-based

Similar Courses

Introduction to High-Energy Physics
Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computation

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Former Director of Research and Computing at CERN
Professor of Physics at the University of Padua

Related Books

Description

Did you know that particle accelerators play an important role in many functions of todays society and that there are over 30 000 accelerators in operation worldwide? A few examples are accelerators for radiotherapy which are the largest application of accelerators, altogether with more than 11000 accelerators worldwide. These accelerators range from very compact electron linear accelerators with a length of only about 1 m to large carbon ion synchrotrons with a circumference of more than 50 m and a huge rotating carbon ion gantry with a weight of 600 tons!

There are also a growing number of synchrotron light sources in the world. The light in these sources are created by electrons that are accelerated to almost the speed of light. This light can reveal the molecular structures of materials and also take x-ray pictures of the inner structure of objects. Synchrotron light sources are very important in life sciences, material sciences and chemistry. Another type of accelerators are used in spallation sources, like the European Spallation Source in Lund, Sweden. Here protons are accelerated to very large energies. They produce neutrons when they are smashed into a disc of tungsten. These neutrons are used for finding the inner structure of objects and atomic structures of materials. Finally there are many accelerators for basic physics, like the large hadron collider in Cern. This course takes you on a journey through the technologies used in particle accelerators: The microwave system which produce the electromagnetic waves that accelerate particles; The magnet technology for the magnets that guide and focus the beam of particles; The monitoring systems that determine the quality of the beam of particles; Finally the vacuum systems that create ultra high vacuum so that the accelerated particles do not collide with molecules and atoms. Exciting right! The course is graded through quizzes, one for each of the four modules. Throughout the course there are also a number of training quizzes to offer you support. The four modules in the course are: RF-systems, Magnet technology, Beam diagnostics, and Vacuum techniques. In total there are 48 lectures, where each lecture is a 2-4 minutes long video presentation. Some of the lectures are followed by short texts with complementary information and all will hopefully be an exciting collection for you to engage with. Have fun!

Knowledge

You will learn the basic technology of particle accelerators.
You will understand the basic principles for how particles are accelerated, and how they can be guided.
You will learn about different ways to monitor the beam.
You will learn about vacuum: Why we need vacuum in accelerators; Where particles that give rise to pressure comes from; How one create vacuum

Outline

RF-systems
General introduction
Outline of the RF-system
Pill-box cavities
Energy
Coaxial waveguides
Rectangular waveguides
Computer simulations
The circulator
Introduction to RF-amplifiers
The klystron
General properties
Drift tube linac (DTL)
Elliptical cavity
Traveling wave cavity
Introduction
Basic concepts 1
A mathematical description of the pillbox cavity
A mathematical description of energy in cavities
A mathematical description of the coaxial waveguide
A mathematical description of rectangular waveguides
More on the circulator
Gain of amplifiers
Drift tube Linac: example
Elliptical cavity: example
Quiz Introduction
Outline of RF-system
Pill-box cavities
Energy
Coaxial waveguides
Rectangular waveguides
Computer simulations
Circulator
Introduction to amplifiers
The klystron
General properties
Drift tube linac
Elliptical cavities
Traveling wave cavity
RF-systems: Graded test

Magnet technology for accelerators
Basic iron magnet concepts, magnet types and design
Fast ramp magnets
Superconducting magnets
Permanent accelerator magnets and insertion devices
Magnetic circuits
Basic concepts
Fast ramped magnets
Superconducting magnets
Permanent magnets and insertion devices
Magnet technology: Graded test

Beam Diagnostics
Motivation to beam diagnostics
Important concepts in beam diagnostics
Describing the beam
Faraday cup
Wall current monitor
Beam Current Transformer
Button pick-up
Cavity BPM
OTR and Scintillating screens
Wire scanner and SEM grid
Synchrotron radiation monitor
An introduction to longitudinal profile
Transversely deflecting cavity
Streak camera
Energy (profile) monitoring: Spectrometer and ToF
Energy along a single bunch
Introduction to beam loss and machine protection.
Ionization chamber
Scintillation counter
Introduction to lecture on current and position measurements
Introduction to lecture on transverse beam profile measurements
To measure the beam emittance and the Twiss parameters:
Motivation to beam diagnostics
Important concepts in beam diagnostics
Describing the beam
Faraday cup
Wall current monitor
Beam current transformer
Button pick up
Cavity BPM
OTR and scintillation screens
Wire scanner and SEM grid
Synchrotron radiation measurement
Emittance measurements
Transversely deflecting cavity
Streak camera
Energy monitoring: Spectrometer and ToF
Energy along a single bunch
Introduction to beam loss and machine protection
Ionization chamber
Scintillation counter
Beam diagnostics: Graded test

Basics of Vacuum techniques
Motivation
Introduction to pressure/vacuum
Three states of residual gas
Definition of vacuum regions
Composition of residual gas
Introduction to pumps
Gas-Displacement Pumps
Kinetic Vacuum Pumps
Gas-Binding Pumps
Vacuum Gauges
Vacuum components
Brief introduction to Maxwell-Boltzmann theory for ideal gas
Motivation
Introduction to pressure/vacuum
Three states of residual gases
Definition of vacuum regions
Composition of residual gases
Gas displacement pumps
Kinetic vacuum pumps
Gas binding pump
Vacuum Gauges
Vacuum components
Vacuum technology: Graded test

You have now successfully finalized the course!
Well done! You have now successfully finalized the course!

Summary of User Reviews

The Fundamentals of Particle Accelerator Technology course is highly rated by users. Many users found the course to be well-structured and informative. One key aspect that many users thought was good was the course content that was easy to comprehend and follow.

Pros from User Reviews

Well-structured course content
Informative lectures
Great explanations of complex concepts
In-depth coverage of the subject matter

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too theoretical
Lack of practical examples
Difficult to follow for those without a physics or engineering background

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