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CLARA

CLARA is one of the world’s most advanced medium-energy electron beam facilities, driving R&D and innovation into a wide range of applications such as novel acceleration, cancer-therapy, and advanced diagnostics. Its state-of-the-art technology generates, accelerates and manipulates high brightness electrons to 250 MeV. CLARA uses precision magnets and diagnostics to control the beam over 80 metres. With a unique 120 terawatt ultra-short-pulse laser, CLARA enables groundbreaking experiments unmatched anywhere else in Europe.

Introduction

CLARA is one of the world’s brightest medium-energy electron beams and has been designed to develop and test next-generation accelerator technologies, shaping the future of medicine, high energy physics, material science and beyond.

Electrons are generated in a radiofrequency (RF) gun and accelerated using one two-meter long and three 4-metre-long, 3 gigahertz RF accelerating cavities to an energy of 250 million electron volts (MeV). A network of 126 electromagnets and 94 diagnostic devices are then used to focus, steer and manipulate the beam through the 80-metre-long facility.

CLARA also features a 120 terawatt peak power laser system operating at 5 Hz, enabling unique experiments that combine high-powered lasers with bright electron beams in both co-propagating and counter propagating geometries. This capability is unmatched anywhere else in Europe.

Impact

CLARA produced a run of experiments using front at 35 MeV between 2018 and 2022 generating >15 publications and >10 PhD theses.

First friendly user experiments using full energy CLARA were completed in April 2026.

This included high impact experiments like:

  • Irradiation of human cancer cells at ultra-high dose rates,
  • Developing new beam measurement technology
  • Establishing UK research in advanced plasma accelerators.

Publications related to CLARA are available at: ePubs

Technical Specification

  • 3 gigahertz RF accelerating cavities to an energy of 250 million electron volts (MeV)
  • 100 Hz bunch repetition rate, maximum bunch charge of 250 picocoulomb (pC)
  • A network of 126 electromagnets, 94 diagnostic devices and 155 vacuum gauges and pumps
  • 80-metre-long facility
  • 120 terawatt (2.8 J @ 23 fs) short-pulse laser

Enquiries

For more information and all enquiries, please contact us.

Team member