In the Compact LInear Collider (link opens in a new window) (CLIC) study, led by CERN, an international collaboration is working on a concept for a machine to collide electrons and positrons head on at energies up to several TeV. This energy range is similar to the LHC's, but by using electrons and their antiparticles rather than protons, physicists will gain a different perspective on the underlying physics.
A major challenge for CLIC will be the manufacture of huge numbers of high strength focusing quadrupole magnets for the drive beam. Manufacturing rates of about 50 magnets per day will be required, and this is way beyond present capabilities. MaRS staff have designed and patented a novel permanent magnet based solution that will meet the CLIC specification. We have built a prototype of this magnet, which is currently undergoing magnetic testing in our lab. One of the next steps will be to assess automated manufacturing techniques in order to meet the required production rates for the project. This work is supported jointly by ASTeC and CERN.
Techniques
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