Delivery of over 50 leak detection systems for antimatter research in the Large Hadron Collider
CERN, the renowned Science Centre for Particle Physics has placed an order with Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum for the delivery of over 50 mobile leak detection systems PHOENIXL300 including the matching Remote Control System RC 310 WL. With this order, Oerlikon has prevailed against a prestigious international competition. For Dr. Martin Füllenbach, CEO Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum, this success is a beacon for the future: “This is one of the largest orders for leak detection systems of one single customer in the applications within the branch of R&D. We are pleased that CERN continues to regard us as an important partner in their pioneering research.”
Researchers at CERN in Geneva are examining what holds the world together – the discovery of the so-called Higgs particle recently revealed another fundamental insight. The world’s largest super accelerator LHC (Large Hadron Collider), is the heart of the major research institution. For the applications of the CERN institute, the technical requirements on vacuum systems, such as quality, reliability and stability are very high. For decades, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum has been a technology partner of the Geneva institute and has delivered several vacuum systems and components.
For the experiments at the LHC, it is imperative to maintain a pure ultrahigh vacuum continuously in the 27 km long underground pipeline. Accordingly, the helium leak detection at CERN is a mission critical application. If the scarce and expensive noble gas escapes from the storage ring, no more experiments can be performed, as the temperature in the system needs to be kept constant using helium at -271.3°C. Only under these conditions the particles will travel at the speed of light and finally collide.
Renowned researchers such as the physicist and Nobel laureate Robert Richardson, are sure that the availability of this noble gas will run out this century. Without helium, many research branches will be hard pressed to survive. In September 2008, about one ton of helium escaped from a leak at the LHC.
The head of CERN’s Group of vacuum, surface and coating technology, Dr. José Miguel Jimenez says: “Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum is one of the few technology suppliers who meet the extreme requirements of CERN high energy particle accelerators in terms of vacuum and leak detection systems. We can rely 100% on solutions from Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum.”
In addition to the particle accelerator at CERN, the leak detectors are used in leak testing of the large ATLAS detector, the CMS (Compact Muon Spectrometer) and individual components which are used for antimatter research. Vacuum leak detection is typically used for the particle beam vacuum, and for the reception testing of vacuum insulation. For identifying major leaks, however, the sniff test method is used. Both leak detection methods are possible when using Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum leak detectors. Conclusion: Leak detection is an integral solution and fully complementary to achieve and maintain the high vacuum in technically complex systems.
In this context, the compact leak detector PHOENIXL300 of Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum convinces with its features and flexible deployment. A deep detectable leak rate (<= 5 x 10 -12 mbar x l/Sec.) and the ability to operate the mobile device in a partial flow system, provide reliable and consistently reproducible results in such demanding applications.
The quick start and the extremely short reaction times in leak detection measurements provide customer friendly operation of the leak detector. In addition, users control the device with the Remote Control System RC 310 WL via graphic touch panel, data storage and USB port, from a distance of up to 100 meters from the measuring point. Another plus: Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum offers training programs for the full range of leak detection applications – also on site.
Oerlikon CEO Michael Buscher says: “The success on this tender demonstrates once again that the technologically advanced solutions we offer are essential for research applications. We are proud to support CERN in answering the basic questions of physics also in the future.”
