Cockcroft Institute of Accelerator Science and Technology

We design and build particle accelerators, specialising in high-frequency electromagnetic systems, from the large machines like the Large Hadron Collider at CERN to the small radiotherapy machines in every hospital.

Research areas

  • Radio Frequency cavities for particle accelerators
  • Low-level RF control systems
  • High-frequency THz acceleration
  • Novel artificial materials for electromagnetism
  • Superconducting RF systems
  • Longitudinal particle beam dynamics

We hope to develop the next generation of particle accelerators that will both reveal the secrets of the universe, as well as treating cancer.

A quote from Professor Graeme Burt Engineering Department

Research projects

  • Large Hadron collider luminosity upgrade
  • Robust radiotherapy systems for Africa
  • THz waveguides for acceleration and compression of short electron bunches
  • Development of superconducting RF thin films
  • High gradient radio frequency system studies
  • AWAKE: Accelerating electrons from the wakefields produced by protons in a plasma
  • Compact Linear Collider at CERN
  • High gradient proton therapy accelerators for cancer treatment

Details of Lancaster Engineers work on the Large Hadron Collider appeared in a recent article in The Conversation.

A machine at CERN designed by Lancaster academics
The Large Hadron Collider crab cavity installed in SPS at CERN. It uses intense electric and magnetic fields to rotate proton bunches into collision at the LHC.

Facilities

  • XBOX High gradient test stands (CERN)
  • Field penetration measurement rig (Daresbury)
  • Cavity measurement lab (Daresbury)

Key publications

  1. Adli, E. Acceleration of electrons in the plasma wakefield of a proton bunch, Nature. 561, p. 363-367 5 p. August 2018
  2. Healy, A.L., Electron-terahertz interaction in dielectric-lined waveguide structures for electron manipulation, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A, February
  3. R. Apsimon et al, Design of a uniform deflecting field four rod crab cavity for HL-LHC, PRSTAB Jan 2017
  4. Boyd, T et al, Mode Profile Shaping in Wire Media: Towards An Experimental Verification. Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 1276.