Researchers have developed a compact diagnostic system capable of measuring high-rate particle accelerator beams, a breakthrough that allows for tracking pulses that occur up to one billion times per second. Led by UC Santa Cruz, the Advanced Accelerator Diagnostics Collaboration combined artificial diamonds with custom microchips to overcome the failure of existing sensors at these extreme speeds, according to findings published in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams.
Why current beam diagnostics fail at high speeds
Next-generation particle accelerators are shifting from 120 pulses per second to a million pulses per second, placing immense strain on traditional monitoring equipment. Bruce Schumm, the Long Family Professor of Experimental Physics at UC Santa Cruz, notes that existing systems cannot diagnose beams or provide the data control necessary for experiments at these rates. Without a redesign of the entire detection chain—from the sensor material to the readout electronics—researchers are unable to capture information from these high-frequency pulses.
The team’s new detector successfully produced signals lasting only one-eighth of a nanosecond during tests at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, proving it can handle the rapid-fire nature of modern beams.
How the new diamond-based detector works
The system utilizes artificial diamonds as the primary sensor material because of their durability and ability to produce clean, fast signals. By pairing these diamonds with a custom-designed integrated circuit, the collaboration created a unit capable of processing signals with high precision. During a July 2023 test at SLAC, the team exposed the system to electron bursts lasting approximately one picosecond. According to Schumm, the results matched their theoretical calculations with “stunning accuracy,” exceeding initial performance expectations.
Future applications for high-speed diagnostic technology
The collaboration is already developing a second version of the system, expected to be ready for testing by fall 2026. This iteration will feature an improved integrated circuit chip designed for even faster signal response times. While the current focus is on particle accelerators, the team envisions this “plug-and-play” diagnostic technology moving into other high-stakes fields. Potential future applications include:
- Fusion Energy Development: Managing the complex, fast-moving data required to sustain fusion reactions.
- Advanced Laser-Control Systems: Providing the millisecond-precision timing needed for high-energy laser experiments.
- High-Energy Physics: Enabling researchers to observe atomic-scale interactions as they evolve in real-time.
When working with high-repetition-rate diagnostics, focus on the “dynamic range” of the sensor. The Advanced Accelerator Diagnostics Collaboration’s success relied on the sensor’s ability to maintain signal clarity across a wide range of operating conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes artificial diamonds better than traditional sensors?
Artificial diamonds are used because they are highly radiation-hard and can produce faster, cleaner electrical signals than the silicon-based sensors typically used in older diagnostic systems.
Who collaborated on this research project?
The project was led by UC Santa Cruz and included contributions from UC Davis, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories. The work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
When will the next version of the detector be available?
The team is currently developing and testing the second version of the system, with full-scale testing scheduled for fall 2026.
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