CHRISP - Swiss Research InfraStructure for Particle physics

LTP operates and exploits the CHRISP user facility at PSI. CHRISP comprises (i) secondary pion and muon beams for particle physics, fed from production targets hit by the proton beam of HIPA, (ii) beams of ultracold neutrons (UCN) produced in several-seconds long macro-pulses of HIPA onto the UCN source, and (iii) the exposure facilities PIF, fed by the COMET medical cyclotron, and EMON. HIPA and COMET are operated by the Division Large Research Facilities, and the UCN source is operated by the BSQ group of the LIN laboratory of NUM.

High Intensity Proton Accelerators (HIPA)

The cyclotron facility contains a cascade of three accelerators delivering a proton beam of 590 MeV energy at a current up to 2.4 mA (1.4 MW). The proton beam is pre-accelerated in a Cockcroft-Walton electrostatic column to an energy of 870 keV which is increased to 72 MeV in the 4-sector Injector 2 cyclotron. Final acceleration of the main beam to 590 MeV occurs in the large 8-sector Ring Cyclotron, from which the beam is transported to the target stations.

Secondary beam lines at PSI (SBL)

PSI provides beam time for particle physics and other experiments. Its unique specialty is very high intensity pion and muon beams of momenta up to a few hundred MeV/c. These secondary beam lines are maintained jointly by the Laboratory for Particle Physics and the Division of Large Research Facilities.

Ultracold Neutron Source (UCN)

The powerful source of ultracold neutrons is serving three beamports in two experimental areas with UCN production every 300s in regular operation.

Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF)

Under the contract between European Space Agency (ESA) and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) the Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF) was constructed for testing of spacecraft components. The facility is designed in a user friendly manner and is commonly available. It enables generating realistic proton spectra encountered at any potential orbit in space. PIF is a member of the ESA supported European Component Irradiation Facilities (ECIF).