OPAC

optimization of Particle Accelerators: A Marie Curie Initial Training Network

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'There are more than fifteen thousand particle accelerators in the world, ranging from the linear accelerators used for cancer therapy in modern hospitals to the giant 'atom-smashers' at international particle physics laboratories used to unlock the secrets of creation. For many decades these scientific instruments have formed one of the main pillars of modern research across scientific disciplines and countries.

The optimization of the performance of any particle accelerator critically depends on an in-depth understanding of the beam dynamics in the machine, the availability of simulation tools to study and continuously improve all accelerator components from beam handling elements to rf cavities, a complete set of beam diagnostics methods to monitor all important machine and beam parameters with high precision, and a control and data acquisition system that links all the above.

The oPAC consortium proposes to carry out collaborative research into all the above aspects, with the aim to optimize the performance of present and future accelerators that lie at the heart of many research infrastructures. The network brings together leading research centers, universities, and industry partners to jointly train the next generation of researchers in this interdisciplinary field. oPAC aims at developing long term collaboration and links between the involved teams across sectors and disciplinary boundaries and to thus help defining improved research and training standards in this important field.'

Descrizione progetto (Article)

From basic research into the nature of materials both living and non-, to environmental protection to medical diagnostics, the value of accelerating particles to great speeds is recognised by many fields. Top academic and research-oriented industrial organisations across Europe have joined forces to train a new group of young researchers to ensure particle accelerators are the best they can be.

The goal of the EU-funded project 'Optimization of particle accelerators: A Marie Curie Initial Training Network' (http://www.opac-project.eu/ (OPAC)) is to foster expertise in a number of fields through network-wide training events and secondments. Equally importantly, scientists seek to develop long-term links that will bridge sectorial barriers.

Partners set up industry booths at the International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC) in May 2012 and the International Beam Instrumentation Conference (IBIC) in September 2013 to advertise the Marie Curie Fellowships. Twenty out of 22 positions have now been filled and research is well underway. The team has distributed a leaflet to the international community highlighting projects, researchers and partners.

Training and education has been particularly active with two hands-on training days for fellows hosted by industry partners and the first topical workshop that attracted more than 120 researchers from around the world. The project's first school trained fellows in complementary skills. The format was commended by the European Commission as best practice for providing future generations of scientists and engineers with the skills to produce world-class research. The project has also been the focus of numerous articles in a variety of research and education forums.

The OPAC network continues to grow. It now includes 12 beneficiary partners, 10 associated partners and 12 adjunct partners providing a very rich cross-sectorial and cross-cultural training experience. Building on core European expertise in accelerator applications of lasers, partners and fellows will strengthen the European Research Area (ERA). Optimisation of particle accelerators will have broad benefits for the growing user community and for EU citizens.