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SLAC to Help Build KEK's ATF2

As particle physics becomes more and more of an international endeavor, SLAC researchers and engineers are following suit. SLAC has joined the international effort to build the Accelerator Test Facility 2 (ATF2), located at KEK in Japan, by designing forty-one "high-availability" power systems. These systems increase the proportion of time that the power sources are in functioning condition.

"ATF2 replicates the final focus accelerator envisioned for the ILC," said Antonio de Lira, Controls and Power Electronics Department (CPE) Group Leader. "This is an opportunity to help build ATF2 and advance R&D for the International Linear Collider."

The power systems consist of interchangeable and redundant power modules. This type of system ensures that if one power supply fails, the remaining modules can compensate without an interruption to the current.

In addition, the SLAC-designed system uses advanced Ethernet communication between the power supplies and the computer that regulates their current. This novel interface adds to the stability of the system.

CPE's Antonio de Lira, Briant Lam and Dave MacNair will design the systems in conjunction with industrial manufacturers from around the world. However, in order to simplify repair and maintenance, CPE will attempt to have the parts manufactured by companies in Japan.

After assembling and testing the systems at SLAC, CPE plans to install the systems at KEK in late 2007. The ATF beam will be commissioned shortly thereafter.

—Antonio de Lira, Briant Lam and Dave MacNair
   SLAC Today, May 18, 2006

Image: KEK representatives evaluate SLAC's power system demonstration system. Pictured (left to right) are: Andrei Seryi, Masayuki Kumada, Briant Lam, Ryuhei Sugahara and Nobuhiro Terunuma.