How a 215-meter machine pushes particles to 84% light speed
In short: To see the smallest structures of our universe, scientists must push matter to its limits. Fermilab's new PIP-II accelerator uses extreme cold and electromagnetic waves to propel hydrogen ions nearly at the speed of light, creating a precision probe into the origins of existence.
The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) is a landmark project for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermilab. This 215-meter linear accelerator is designed to propel particles—specifically hydrogen anions consisting of one proton and two electrons—to approximately 84% of the speed of light. By reaching these high energies, scientists can create more finely penetrating probes that allow for the study of the universe's tiniest structures and its fundamental evolution.
The core mechanism relies on superconducting radio-frequency cavities housed within 39-foot-long vessels called cryomodules. These modules weigh about 27,500 pounds each and contain a chain of niobium cavities designed to look like oversized soda cans stacked end-to-end. To achieve superconductivity, where electricity flows with no energy loss, the niobium must be kept at temperatures hovering around absolute zero—colder than the average temperature of outer space. This is achieved by filling the vessels with liquid helium and surrounding them with multiple layers of insulation.
A vast global partnership, featuring academic bodies from the UK, USA, Poland, Italy, India and France, underpins the PIP-II initiative. It will power major scientific programs like the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) and the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF). Beyond fundamental physics, these high-energy beams have practical applications, including destroying cancer cells, revealing protein structures for drug development, and creating new vaccines.
The machine is technically complex, featuring five different types of superconducting cavities that require separate prototyping. After achieving a peak of 800 million electronvolts (MeV) within the PIP-II linac, these particles move into the Main Injector and Booster accelerators for further enhancement. Within those facilities, they acquire additional power prior to transforming into neutrinos—delicate subatomic units that offer insights into the history of the cosmos.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How will Fermilab’s new accelerator propel particles close to the speed of light?
- Also: Successful tests pave the way for Fermilab’s next-generation particle accelerator
- Also: Cool Journey to the Center of the Earth
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