DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) is a pioneering research institution known for its groundbreaking work in accelerator physics and technology. As one of the world's leading accelerator centres, DESY is a hub where scientists and engineers push the boundaries of our understanding of the microcosm—from the behavior of elementary particles to the intricate dynamics of nanomaterials and the essential processes that occur between biomolecules. With state-of-the-art accelerators and detection instruments, DESY generates the world's most intense X-ray light, propels particles to record-breaking energies, and opens entirely new windows into the universe.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Research at DESY
The DESY accelerators are central to its research and enable unprecedented exploration into the smallest constituents of matter. The facility's accelerators, such as FLASH and the European XFEL (X-ray Free-Electron Laser), are equipped with unique diagnostic tools that provide detailed insights into the behavior of particle beams. These tools are crucial for experiments that require precise control and measurement of beam properties, which are essential for advancing both fundamental science and practical applications.
One of the key groups within DESY is the MSK Group, responsible for developing and operating systems that dampen beam vibrations, control critical parameters like magnetic currents and radio frequency, and synchronize pulsed components with incredible precision. The MSK Group’s role is pivotal in ensuring the stability and accuracy of DESY’s accelerators, which in turn allows researchers to conduct experiments with unparalleled precision.
The Role of the Special Diagnostics (SDiag) Team
The Special Diagnostics Team (SDiag) plays an essential role within the MSK Group in the maintenance and further development of radiation diagnostics at DESY. The core expertise of the SDiag team lies in the development and operation of diagnostic systems that are integrated into beam-based feedback loops. This allows the longitudinal properties of electron bunches to be stabilised.
The diagnostics play an essential role in maintaining the quality and reliability of the beams in DESY's so-called free-electron lasers, especially in FLASH and the European XFEL.
The diagnostic instruments developed by the SDiag team are used to measure key properties of the electron bunches, including:
- Bunch Arrival Time: Measured relative to a femtosecond-stable reference provided by a laser-based synchronization system. Accurate measurement of the arrival time is crucial for synchronizing the electron bunches with external processes.
- Bunch Compression: Determined by the intensity of THz radiation, which depends on the integral and width of the charge density within a bunch. Proper bunch compression is essential for generating high-quality X-ray pulses.
- Bunch Current Profile (Envelope): Understanding the current profile helps researchers optimize beam parameters for different experimental needs.
- Spectral Form Factor: This measurement provides insights into the charge density profile of each electron bunch, allowing for fine-tuning of beam characteristics.
To achieve these measurements, the SDiag team develops sophisticated devices that combine optical, electro-optical, and electrical components. These devices, typically housed in 19’’ modules, form the backbone of DESY’s beam diagnostic systems, ensuring precise control, readout, and data analysis. This integrated approach allows DESY to maintain the high standards required for cutting-edge scientific research.
Advanced Bunch Arrival Monitors (BAMs)
One of the most critical devices developed by the SDiag team is the Bunch Arrival Monitor (BAM). These monitors measure the arrival time of electron bunches at various points within the accelerator tunnel, using the laser master clock as a reference. BAMs are instrumental in achieving the synchronization needed for experiments that rely on precise timing, such as those involving the European XFEL’s ultrafast X-ray pulses.
There are currently at least six BAM devices installed in the tunnel, three of which are of particular relevance to SCS. These are the devices SASE 1 and SASE 3 as well as the undulations 414.B2, 1932M.TL and 1932.TL. The numbers displayed in the identifiers correspond to the distance from the laser cannon in metres. The 1932S.TL identifier is the most critical, as it is the last BAM before the SASE 1 and SASE 3 undulations.
The SDiag team strives to continuously optimise the modelling and design of BAM circuits and components. The focus here is on applications up to a frequency of 100 GHz and lower charge operations. This work is being carried out in cooperation with other renowned research institutes, including the KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), the HZDR (Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf) and the THM (Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen). One of the main challenges in this development process is the installation of printed circuit boards in vacuum chambers. In order to solve this problem, careful selection, optimisation and evaluation of the materials is required, taking into account both vacuum tests and interferometric measurements.
Collaboration with the binder Group for Fabrication Solutions
In order to master the challenges of manufacturing BAM components, DESY has initiated co-operation with the binder Group. The binder Group is a company that is one of the leading specialists for circular connectors and is characterised by its advanced manufacturing capabilities. The Group's core competences include the individual development, design and automated production of connectors, industrial engineering, the supply of plastic parts, measurement technology with CT, the QA laboratory and toolmaking. The binder Group offers a comprehensive range of services, including effective printing, etching and silver plating in the micrometre range. This makes it an adequate partner for DESY's demanding requirements.
The binder Group's experience and technical expertise have proved invaluable in overcoming the specific challenges faced by DESY. The facilities provide a robust solution to the challenges of installing sensitive components in vacuum environments. It also ensures that DESY's diagnostic equipment meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.
The binder Group: A Trusted Partner for High-Precision Fabrication
binders Group is a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions, renowned for its expertise in producing high-precision components for specialized scientific and industrial applications. With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, binder Group has established itself as a trusted partner for organizations like DESY that demand the highest standards in component fabrication and assembly.
Comprehensive Capabilities and State-of-the-Art Facilities
The binder Group offers a broad range of services that cater to the intricate needs of hightech industries, including:
- Micro-Precision Fabrication: The binder Group specializes in micro-scale fabrication techniques, including high-precision etching and deposition processes. Their ability to deposit materials such as silver at the micrometer scale is particularly valuable for applications that require high conductivity and minimal interference, such as in the fabrication of printed circuit boards used in beam diagnostics.
- Advanced Printing and Etching: The company’s facilities are equipped with advanced printing technologies that enable the production of complex circuit patterns with exceptional accuracy. Their etching capabilities ensure that even the most delicate structures are precisely manufactured, which is crucial for components that operate in high-vacuum environments like those at DESY.
- Vacuum-Compatible Solutions: Understanding the challenges associated with installing components inside vacuum chambers, the binder Group provides solutions that are specifically designed to withstand the rigorous demands of such environments. Their expertise in material selection and surface treatment ensures that components meet the stringent requirements of high-vacuum and high-frequency applications.
- Custom Fabrication Services: The binder Group’s custom fabrication services are tailored to meet the unique specifications of each project. They work closely with clients to develop bespoke solutions, from initial design through to final production, ensuring that each component performs optimally within its intended application.
Customer-Centric Approach and Exceptional Service
The binder Group is known not only for its technical expertise but also for its commitment to customer service. Their approach to client interactions is characterized by several key principles:
- Collaborative Engagement: The binder Group values collaboration and actively involves clients in every stage of the development process. By maintaining open lines of communication, they ensure that the customer’s requirements and feedback are fully integrated into the production workflow. This collaborative approach leads to more effective solutions and higher levels of customer satisfaction.
- Responsive and Flexible Service: The binder Group recognises that projects often have tight deadlines and changing requirements. It therefore prides itself on its ability to react flexibly and quickly to such changes. The ability to adapt processes to changes in project scope while ensuring the fulfilment of customer needs without compromising on quality or timelines is a key strength.
- Expert Guidance and Consultation: The binder Group offers expert consultancy services to help customers manage the complexity of component design and manufacturing. The team of experienced engineers and technicians offers valuable insights into material selection, process optimisation and technical feasibility. This helps customers make decisions that increase the overall success of their projects.
- Quality Assurance and Reliability: At binder Group, quality is a top priority. They implement rigorous quality control measures throughout the fabrication process, from initial material inspection to final product testing. This dedication to quality ensures that all components meet the exacting standards required by clients in high-tech industries such as particle physics and accelerator technology.
- Post-Delivery Support: The binder Group’s commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond delivery. They offer comprehensive post-delivery support, including troubleshooting, maintenance advice, and updates on the latest advancements in fabrication technology. This ongoing support helps clients maintain the performance and longevity of their components, providing added value long after the initial purchase.
binder Group and DESY: A Strong Partnership for Innovation
The collaboration between DESY and binder Group exemplifies how strong partnerships can drive innovation and solve complex technical challenges. The binder Group's ability to deliver precise, reliable, and vacuum-compatible components has been instrumental in advancing DESY’s diagnostic capabilities, particularly in the development of the Bunch Arrival Monitors (BAMs) and other critical diagnostics systems.
DESY’s endorsement of the binder Group is a testament to the company’s exceptional fabrication capabilities and customer-centric approach. As DESY continues to innovate and expand its research frontiers, the binder Group remains a key partner, contributing to the cutting-edge technology that makes DESY a leader in accelerator science.
Together with the binder Group, DESY not only optimises the performance of particle accelerators, but also defines new standards for the production of high-precision components for scientific research. This co-operation illustrates the relevance of inter-institutional and inter-professional collaboration between scientific institutions and research-intensive companies in order to generate technological innovations and expand the boundaries of knowledge.
The Future of Diagnostics and Beam Stabilization at DESY
Due to the continuing limitations of accelerator research, the importance of diagnostics and beam stabilisation will continue to grow in the future. The SDiag team strives to be at the forefront of this endeavour through the continuous development of advanced diagnostic tools and close collaboration with industry leaders such as the binder Group. The refinement and expansion of beam diagnostics at DESY not only leads to an increase in the precision of its own experiments, but also to the definition of new standards for accelerator facilities worldwide.
The work at DESY can be cited as an example of how cutting-edge technology and international co-operation can significantly advance scientific discoveries. Research into the deepest secrets of matter and the development of new materials and technologies are essential components of DESY research. The accelerators and the teams behind them contribute significantly to a deeper understanding of our universe and the fundamental forces that govern it.
Edited by:
Dr Nisamol Thevaruparambu Abdul Nazer
DESY, Hamburg