1200 accelerator physicists from around the world meet in Dresden
The graduate students Jens Vöker and Christoph Kunert received a IPAC grant and presented their work on a student poster sesson.
HoBiCaT is a test facility for superconducting RF systems at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin.Ecperts from HZB are jointing the accelarator conference.
The world’s largest particle accelerator conference is being held in Germany for the first time, with around 1200 scientists expected to visit the Saxon capital Dresden from 15 to 20 June. The 5th international conference IPAC is the place for experts to share the advancements they have made in developing particle accelerators and their components.
Experiments with accelerated particles have yielded countless valuable insights for science and mankind. They will forever be a part of modern research. Producing these coveted particles requires a reliable accelerator. The demands on these large machines are constantly growing as researchers wish to gain a deeper understanding of the structure and dynamics of materials, for example, using increasingly intense beams and ever shorter light pulses. Yet, materials research is just one aspect – the range of uses for particle accelerators is extremely wide and is reflected by the range of topics on the IPAC agenda: from future accelerator projects, to alternative concepts, to use in cancer therapy. The conference is being hosted by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, with its competence in accelerator physics, is supporting the local organization of the conference.
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin is taking this opportunity to present the concept BESSY-VSR, the most important advancement on the electron storage ring BESSY II, to a large community of specialists. The HZB scientists have also summarized on a number of posters the progress in the development of a prototype for an energy recovery linac (ERL), BERLinPro, as well as in undulator development. Following the conference, 50 interested participants will be visiting the electron storage ring BESSY II, the Metrology Light Source (MLS) and the test laboratory for superconducting cavities (HoBiCaT) and learning about the experimental possibilities at HZB.
The international conference aims especially at promoting new, young talents in accelerator physics and giving them the opportunity to participate in this important exchange platform. In total, 90 students from around the world have received “IPAC Grants”. These grants cover their conference fees and allow them to participate in a junior scientist poster exhibition. From Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Christoph Kunert (Proton Therapy) and Jens Völker (Institute for Accelerator Physics) have each received a grant. In the conference’s local organization committee, Stefanie Kodalle (Communication) is supporting the smooth proceedings of the conference as Presentation Manager.
The accelerator conference also featured a free evening lecture for the interested public: On 15 June, Dresden scientist Professor Wolfgang Enghardt presented information about the novel cancer therapy with particle beams and about accelerators in medicine.
- 3D magnetic field experiment at BESSY II takes spintronics a step further(Fe0.63Ni0.3Pd0.07)3P or FNPP is a magnetic material that exhibits complex magnetic structures even at room temperature. This makes the material of interest for spintronics, a field that could enable data processing with significantly lower energy consumption. One potential application is novel magnetic memory devices. However, generating and modifying the desired structures in a controlled manner remains a challenge to date. A new study led by HZB has now taken a step forward in this regard. They demonstrated at the worldwide unique VEKMAG-Station at BESSY II, that a tiny external B-field in the plane of the magnetic patterns is sufficient to change them.
- Confirmed figures for the first time: Investments in BESSY are worthwhile for Berlin and GermanyAn impact analysis by DIW Econ demonstrates the scientific and economic value of BESSY II. Every euro invested yields three euros for Germany and as much as ten euros for the State of Berlin. Furthermore, the study provides an economic forecast for the construction of BESSY III.
The impact analysis was presented on 3 September 2026 to Dr Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research in the Berlin Senate. He supports the investment and is a strong advocate for BESSY III. - Detailed insights at BESSY II into the oxidation processes of copperBefore pure copper oxide builds up, complex superstructures such as ‘29’CuxO, are formed. The new results on the '29' CuxO superstructure have relevance for catalyst research and corrosion protection in the development of safe copper containers for nuclear waste repositories.