Did you know that particle accelerators play an important role in many functions of todays society and that there are over 30 000 accelerators in operation worldwide? A few examples are accelerators for radiotherapy which are the largest application of accelerators, altogether with more than 11000 accelerators worldwide. These accelerators range from very compact electron linear accelerators with a length of only about 1 m to large carbon ion synchrotrons with a circumference of more than 50 m and a huge rotating carbon ion gantry with a weight of 600 tons!
Fundamentals of particle accelerator technology (NPAP MOOC)
Fundamentals of particle accelerator technology (NPAP MOOC)
Instructors: Anders Karlsson
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6
(99 reviews)
Intermediate level
Recommended experience
26 hours to complete
3 weeks at 8 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
You will learn the basic technology of particle accelerators.
You will understand the basic principles for how particles are accelerated, and how they can be guided.
You will learn about different ways to monitor the beam.
You will learn about vacuum: Why we need vacuum in accelerators; Where particles that give rise to pressure comes from; How one create vacuum
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Assessments
51 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 5 modules in this course
This module is an introduction to the RF systems of particle accelerators. RF stand for radio frequency and indicates that the systems deal with electromagnetic waves with frequencies that are common for radio systems. The RF system generates electromagnetic waves and guides them down to cavities. The cavities are located along the beam pipe such that the particles pass through the cavities when they travel along the accelerator. When the waves enter the cavity they create as standing wave inside the cavity. it is the electric field of this standing wave that accelerates the particles. In the module we describe the amplifier, which generates and amplifies the electromagnetic waves. We describe different types of waveguides which transport the waves from the amplifier to the cavity. We also describe the most common types of cavities. Most of the system is described without equations but in the texts following the lectures you will find some of the theory for the RF-system.
What's included
14 videos10 readings15 assignments
This module is about the types of magnets that are used in particle accelerators. It introduces dipole magnets, quadrupole magnets, sextupole magnets and octupole magnets, and describe where these are needed and how they are designed. In the most common types of magnets, the magnetic field are produced by currents running in normal conducting wires. When large magnetic fields are required one use superconducting magnets and the module describe how these are designed. There are also cases when quite weakl magnetic fields are required and then one can use permanent magnets. This a green alternative since they have zero power consumption. The permanent magnets are also covered in this module.
What's included
4 videos1 reading5 assignments
In this module we describe how we can measure and monitor various beam parameters in a particle accelerator. We introduce a few examples of common instruments for each specific parameter, starting with beam intensity and beam position, followed by transverse distribution and beam emittance. We also present ways to monitor the longitudinal and the energy distribution. The last section describe how we can determine the amount of particles that the beam loose as it travels through the accelerator.
What's included
19 videos3 readings20 assignments
This module gives an introduction to basic concepts of vacuum physics and techniques in accelerators. Vacuum regions and the behavior of residual gas in these regions are described. Important phenomena, such as velocity distribution, average collision distance and molecular formation are explained by Maxwell-Boltzmann theory. These phenomena are used to determine vacuum criteria for accelerator systems. Basic concepts of vacuum pumps will be described, and different types of vacuum equipment will be presented. The objective is that the students would understand the behavior of residual gas in Vacuum systems. They should be able to determine Vacuum criteria for a given system. They should also be able to choose proper equipment for Vacuum generation and measurement.
What's included
11 videos1 reading11 assignments
What's included
1 reading
Instructors
Instructor ratings
4.3 (32 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Electrical Engineering
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Stanford University
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RM
5
Reviewed on Oct 28, 2019
Description of complex devices in particle accelerator field are explained in very lucid way.
RM
4
Reviewed on Feb 10, 2020
Some of the English could be clearer, but the information and delivery is generally great!
HR
5
Reviewed on Apr 5, 2021
This course offers a great introdution to particle accelerators and is suitable to almost everyone!!
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