CERN’ s technical teams are finalizing the interconnections on a 95-meter line that accurately simulates the new segments that will be placed on either side of the ATLAS and CMS detectors. This test bed is essential for the future of the collider.
Completion of the LHC test bed
The High Luminosity LHC(HL-LHC) aims to increase the integrated luminosity by a factor of 10, which implies a higher beam density and, consequently, a higher collision rate. To achieve this, superconducting quadrupole magnets made of niobium-tin have been developed, with capabilities to generate magnetic fields of up to 11.3 teslas, exceeding the 8.3 teslas of current magnets.
This development has been dubbed the “IT Rope”, a line that consists of six quadrupole magnets arranged in four cryostats, together with correctors and a dipole magnet to channel the beams in the direction of the collision points. All these components have been individually tested and are now integrated to simulate real conditions.
The cryogenic system will allow operation at 1.9 K, through the use of superfluid helium. superfluid helium. In addition, the infrastructure includes an innovative cryogenic feed line and a remote alignment system that can adjust the position of the magnets with an accuracy of 0.1 mm along the entire line.
This connection process includes some 70 interconnections soldered using specific techniques to ensure electrical continuity in superconducting circuits. Vacuum experts ensure the tightness of each joint before final closure. In addition, the controlled environment serves as a training platform for the technicians, who will then work in the tunnel.
The completion of the HL-LHC system. Source: CERN
Subsequently, complete cooling will be initiated, with the objective of energizing the magnets before the end of the year. This collective test will be important to optimize the final installation of the HL-LHC and ensure its operational success at the third scheduled long shutdown.
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Source and photo: CERN
