Instrumentation and Accelerators

The Instrumentation and Accelerator Physics Programme develops novel methods based on innovative photon sources for state-of-the-art research in condensed matter physics at the level of electron and atom motion. We also develop instrumentation and accelerators needed in high-energy elementary particle and nuclear physics.
Research areas
Accelerator research and development for particle physics and applied sciences
We try to push the frontier of contemporary science into uncharted territory by providing scientists with unique accelerator-based infrastructures for fundamental and applied science. With this goal in mind, we participate in number of projects to
- develop the physical principles of new methods of acceleration and control of charged particle beams (ESSvSB+, AWAKE, CLIC, Muon collider);
- design, manufacture and test of components for various instruments and particle accelerators (ESS, HL-LHC, FREIA and SAGA neutron instruments);
- carry out studies towards more efficient accelerator facilities with reduced carbon footprint (microwave power sources, high-gradient studies).
Read more about accelerator R&D

The development of novel accelerator-based photon/particle sources
We develop novel accelerator-based photon sources. Examples range from attosecond-pulse x-ray free electron lasers to novel compact femtosecond x-ray sources such as the Ångström Laser.
Read more about accelerator-based photon and particle sources

Methods and instrumentation for studies of ultrafast processes
Ultrafast processes can dramatically influence the functional behavior of materials such as quantum materials, photovoltaic materials, solar energy harvesting, hydrogen in materials. We develop new x-ray and electron scattering as well as spectroscopy tools to study the energy flow in materials on fundamental time and length-scales. This research utilizes the coherence properties and time structures of x-ray pulses produced by synchrotrons, free electron lasers, table-top lasers, and electron sources.

Central laser facility
Together with the Chemical and Bio-Molecular Physics program we operate a central laser facility that is composed of two femtosecond laser laboratories, the HELIOS and the Ångström femtosecond laser laboratory, enabling complementary scientific applications.

FREIA Laboratory
We operate the FREIA Laboratory, Sweden's infrastructure platform for superconducting accelerator technology. This provides an avenue to expand our contribution to large-scale accelerator-based research facilities such as CERN and ESS through R&D on accelerator equipment and instrumentation in close collaboration with high-energy elementary particle and nuclear physics.

Publications
Part of Journal of High Energy Physics (JHEP), 2026
- DOI for Measurement of coherent exclusive J/ψ → μ+μ− production in ultraperipheral Pb+Pb collisions at √sNN=5.36 TeV with the ATLAS detector
- Download full text (pdf) of Measurement of coherent exclusive J/ψ → μ+μ− production in ultraperipheral Pb+Pb collisions at √sNN=5.36 TeV with the ATLAS detector
Non-equilibrium THz-phonon spin coupling in CrI3
Part of Journal of Physics, Conference Series, 2026
Part of Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, 2026
Preface: Celebrating the work and achievements of Joachim Stöhr
Part of Structural Dynamics, 2026
2026
- More publications
Contact
- Programme Professor
- Hermann Dürr
- Contact information FREIA