Where Materials Meet Mastery
Material and Surface Science is pivotal in enhancing the performance of our particle accelerators. By developing and maintaining advanced materials and surfaces, our team ensures optimal conditions for groundbreaking research in particle physics.
This field involves the development, analysis, and maintenance of materials and surfaces, ensuring they meet the stringent requirements for high vacuum conditions and electrical conductivity. Scientists, technicians and engineers in this domain work on precision cleaning, etching, and applying specialized thin films to optimize the performance and stability of particle beams. With cutting-edge techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration, our team pushes the boundaries of material science.
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Project example
Engineering Materials for Big Science: The HL-LHC and Beyond
Key objectives
- Develop advanced materials and processes to meet the unique demands of CERN’s particle accelerators.
- Ensure materials perform reliably under extreme conditions, such as cryogenic temperatures and high radiation environments.
- Innovate and qualify new material solutions for complex engineering challenges.
Impact
- Enabled the successful operation of the HL-LHC by developing non-magnetic stainless steel, high-strength aluminum-alloy rings, and other specialized materials.
- Improved the performance and reliability of superconducting magnets with advanced Nb3Sn materials and innovative testing methods.
- Supported groundbreaking research through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge material science.
Conclusion
- Ongoing advancements in material and surface science are crucial for the continued success of CERN's ambitious projects, ensuring that our particle accelerators remain at the forefront of scientific discovery.
Open positions in Material and Surface Science
That's a fact!
Our LHC materials withstand magnetic fields stronger than the energy of an Airbus A320 in a pencil lead's diameter!
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