CERN LEIR-Based Facility Would Add 50% More Heavy-Ion Beam Time for European Electronics Testing
The proposal addresses beam-time scarcity for electronics radiation hardness assurance by repurposing LEIR, promising a 50% capacity increase and deeper ion penetration up to 100 MeV/n. Evidence rests on a single concept design document without detailed cost or schedule validation. Next steps hinge on securing EU and CERN commitments for the technical design phase.
The report details a dedicated extraction system, transfer line, and user area built around the existing LEIR ring, directly targeting the documented shortage of high-energy heavy-ion facilities in Europe. Current European capabilities fall short on both hours and penetration depth for modern stacked electronics; the LEIR upgrade would extend accessible energies while operating within CERN's established accelerator infrastructure. Project phasing includes a technical design study followed by construction, with funding framed through Horizon Europe and CERN collaboration to secure long-term operations.
CERN/ESA: Technical design study funding approved and initial extraction hardware drawings released within 24 months of the 2026 proposal date.
Sources (3)
- [1]Primary Source(https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.26369)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Radiation_Hardness_Assurance)
- [3]Supporting Source(https://home.cern/science/accelerators/low-energy-ion-ring)