Accelerator Diagnostics and Instrumentation
The Accelerator Diagnostics and Instrumentation Group, led by Storm Mathisen, is a multi-disciplinary group supports ASTeC and its projects with expertise in accelerator diagnostics, high-speed, mixed-signal electronics and experimental design, as well as carrying out world-leading research in novel accelerator diagnostic techniques.
Our Capabilities
- Diagnostics development and construction:
- We research, build and commission accelerator diagnostic systems, including charge diagnostics, beam imaging systems, longitudinal diagnostic systems based on technologies such as coherent transition/diffraction radiation and passive dielectric streakers, and beam position monitors.
- Electronic design, prototyping, assembly and installation:
- We can take designs from blank slate concepts through prototyping, final designs, production, testing, assembly and installation. The group operates an ISO9001 certified electronics workshop which can carry out design activities, as well as testing, assembly and installation, including systems for installation in radiation test facilities and cryogenic environments.
- Experiment design, installation and execution:
- We have expertise in supporting facility users with designing their experiments, installing them at our facilities, such as CLARA, and supporting the execution of experiments with domain expertise, data acquisition systems and data analysis. We have supported successful campaigns in areas such as novel cancer therapy methods, novel acceleration techniques, as well as development of new diagnostic systems and detector technologies.
- Software and firmware development:
- We develop software and firmware for accelerator systems, targeting both embedded systems, high performance data acquisition hardware and accelerator control rooms for use by both operators and facility users. We also have expertise in novel software tools, such as machine learning and computer vision.
- Rapid development and prototyping
- Our multi-disciplinary team and in-house prototyping capabilities enable us to rapidly turn ideas into installed systems. This is possible due to having a wide range of disciplines in the group and possessing in-house capabilities to do electronic and mechanical design, additive manufacturing, as well as PCB manufacture and assembly.
- Collaborations within and external to STFC
- We can combine our expertise with a range of other disciplines within ASTeC and STFC as a whole to support our work, including accelerator physics, RF engineering, cryogenics, magnets, ultrashort lasers, vacuum systems, control systems and detectors. We also have close ties to academic partners within the Cockcroft Institute, both within the field of diagnostics and in the wider field of accelerator science
