High energy in the new experimental hall
The university's latest laboratory has been inaugurated, in a building next to the Ångström laboratory. The latest accelerator technology is to be developed in collaboration with scientists from all over Europe in the new Freia laboratory. “I am proud that we have been able to realise our ambitious plans,” says Tord Ekelöf, Professor of Particle Physics.
It was Vice-Chancellor Eva Åkesson, who cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony in June. The 1,000-square metre experimental hall is now ready for use just over a year after the first sod was turned.
“First-class research infrastructure is essential in order to conduct internationally competitive top research. Which Freia is a true example of,” she said in her speech.
The Freia laboratory will be the test site for the planned ESS facility (European Spallation Source) outside of Lund, which will be the world’s most high-intensity proton accelerator. The assignment is to develop and test a technical system to produce and control the electromagnetic microwave power needed to accelerate the high-intensity proton beam.
In parallel with the ESS project several other development projects are planned in the coming years, including collaboration with CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory in Switzerland.
“We will also install a neutron generator to be used in applied nuclear physics, both by scientists and by students,” says Tord Ekelöf.
Annica Hulth