Crystal Shadowing to Reduce Beam Losses
CERN has upgraded its crystal‑shadowing system in the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) by installing a refined array of three bent silicon crystals. The technique, first demonstrated in 2021, deflects halo particles away from the electrostatic septum, cutting beam losses by roughly 50%. Remote‑adjustable crystals and an AI‑based control loop ensure precise alignment during slow extraction. The new setup is now entering operational validation, paving the way for higher‑intensity fixed‑target programs such as SHiP and HI‑ECN3.
Accelerator Report: The 2026 Run Will Be Short but Intense
On 7 March 2026 CERN declared stable beams for the Large Hadron Collider, marking the start of its final data‑taking run before the High‑Luminosity upgrade. The nine‑month campaign, compressed into a July‑June window, will sequentially increase beam intensity from four to...
New Prototyping Workshop Opens at IdeaSquare
IdeaSquare at CERN has launched ‘The Forge,’ a new prototyping workshop designed for rapid iteration and collaborative building. The space merges the former 3D Printer Studio with two containers, offering a large central worktable, modular peg wall, 3D printers and...
Final Laps at the LHC
CERN has launched the final four‑month run of the Large Hadron Collider, kicking off with proton collisions on 7 March. The schedule includes nine weeks of proton collisions, three weeks of lead‑ion runs, and a two‑week high‑intensity proton test featuring 40%...
NA62 Collaboration Refines Measurement of Rare Particle Decay
The NA62 Collaboration announced a refined measurement of the ultra‑rare K⁺→π⁺νν decay, presenting a branching ratio of 9.6 × 10⁻¹¹ with a 40% reduction in uncertainty. The result incorporates data collected in 2023‑2024 and leverages advanced machine‑learning analysis techniques. This measurement aligns...
HiLumi LHC: Cryogenics Equipment Arrives Underground
Two massive cold boxes built by Linde have been lowered into the new service tunnels of the High‑Luminosity LHC, near the ATLAS and CMS experiments. These units form the core of the upgraded refrigeration system that will cool the next‑generation...
Accelerator Report: Protons Are Heading Towards the LHC
The CERN accelerator complex is moving toward full LHC operation as beam commissioning progresses across the injector chain. The SPS has finished its first week of commissioning and entered a scrubbing run to condition vacuum surfaces for the high‑intensity beams...