Beam Diagnostics Development

 Beam diagnostics systems are essential constituents of any particle accelerator; they reveal the properties of a beam and how it behaves in a machine. Without an appropriate set of diagnostic elements, it would simply be impossible to operate any accelerator let alone optimise its performance. 

The QUASAR Group at Liverpool University has pioneered innovative beam diagnostics solutions for accelerators and light sources since its foundation in 2007. Through its spin out company D-Beam it is helping to make prototype developments available to much wider markets and applications.

The focus of D-Beam, which was established in 2015, is to develop reliable and cost effective non-invasive beam diagnostic solutions. These have potential to increase system reliability, output and cost efficiency of accelerators. Potential applications include in research, healthcare, security, environment and manufacture. 

In collaboration with D-Beam Ltd, viable proof of concept measurements of several non-invasive diagnostic techniques has been achieved. This represents a significant stepping-stone in producing commercially viable products. 

The new systems generated in these projects enable facility operators to tune the beam parameters to the discretion of their users much quicker and with more control. Benefits such as better control of beam parameters, less unanticipated downtime and higher quality research results can be expected from use of improved beam diagnostics.

The development and future exploitation of these products to the international market will help continue to highlight the UK as a leader in particle accelerator related research and development. 

Significant recent funding has been obtained to further realise the benefits of this work and applications in sectors outside of accelerators are being investigated. These include gas jet applications in the nuclear physics sector and the emerging nuclear fusion sector. 

 “The development and commercialisation of new technologies is at the forefront of our impact and engagement strategy. The partnership with D-Beam has allowed us with the first building blocks in getting our ideas off the ground to develop innovative, market-led, impact-generating technologies.”

Professor Dr Carsten P Welsch, Head of Department, University of Liverpool

“The collaboration with the university proved to be the catalyst in bringing to life new ideas which otherwise would not have been possible to exploit. We were able to obtain support at the early stages of turning research outputs into proof of concepts with the potential to be developed further into commercial products and subsequently benefit the UK economy and society”

Dr Joseph Wolfenden, D-Beam Ltd