Beam operations resume at LIPAc

After a small hiatus required for the maintenance of equipment, the teams of engineers from Europe and Japan working for the Broader Approach IFMIF/EVEDAproject are back in the control room to switch on again the beam of LIPAc – a prototype accelerator that will help them to validate the design of the future neutron source to test material for DEMO, the fusion machine to follow ITER.

According to the results of the first beam campaign, which started in June last year, LIPAc passed the tests as robust enough to operate at a low current. A new wave of operations officially kicked off earlier this year with the teams of engineers returning to the control room. The results were once again positive reaching this time 95% current transmission through the Radio Frequency Quadrupole – the equipment accelerating the beam. Moreover, the first particles of deuterium were injected successfully marking an important milestone for the scientists involved in the experiment. This is of significant importance because it is an essential step towards the high deuteron intensity which is needed for the neutron source.

 The IFMIF/EVEDA Project Committee visited the seat of the experiment in Japan and followed the beam operations from the control room. “The partnership between Europe and Japan in fusion R&D is making a visible contribution in order to harness the energy of the future. The Broader Approach experiments may seem too technical addressing particular issues. But when you take distance you realise how each of them is essential and part of the big picture,” explains Philippe Cara, IFMIF/EVEDA Project Leader.

In terms of equipment, F4E has delivered nearly the full set of its components for the next stage of activities reaching higher beam energies. The activities will use a superconducting accelerating unit – a cryomodule – whose vacuum vessel and superconducting cavities, manufactured by CEA, have already been delivered. The technical teams are currently busy starting the assembly of the cryomodule. The full set of beam diagnostics have gone through commissioning allowing scientists to measure all parameters of the beam.