Groups

 

In addition to its Directorate ASTeC comprises five professional Groups.
The Accelerator Physics Group is led by Susan Smith and is able to model the behaviour of charged particle beams in accelerators and transport systems, including aspects of nonlinear beam dynamics. This Group has been concentrating mainly on high brightness electron beams (eg for linear colliders and light sources) including the design and operation of high performance electron guns.

The Intense Beams Group under Chris Prior, based at RAL, concentrates on modelling of both highly intense proton beams and on muon systems in connection with neutrino production concepts.  Pioneering work on FFAGs has also been undertaken. 

The Magnetics and Radiation Sources Group, led by Jim Clarke,  undertakes a variety of magnet design, construction and testing projects. This includes DC, AC and pulsed magnets and the technologies of  permanent, superconducting and conventional electromagnets.  The Group is also engaged in modelling of novel radiation sources, in particular advanced free electron lasers.

The Radiofrequency and Diagnostics Group  led by Peter McIntosh,  covers RF structures and power sources, ranging from low level controls to very high power solutions. Both conventional and superconducting systems are under development.   Novel diagnostics solutions, often under extreme environments, are also studied.

The Vacuum Science Group, under Joe Herbert, contains surface science expertise combined with knowledge of the latest vacuum component technologies.  Complete design of large and complex vacuum systems can be undertaken, followed by delivery of commissioned solutions.