Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2024 - 12

FEATURE ARTICLE
Magnetic Containment Systems from Sigmaphi Boost Scientific & Medical Projects
Focusing intense beams of light for scientific research can require
powerful, highly-engineered containment magnets and one of the
biggest such projects is underway at the Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory in California. The magnets are being designed
and built by Sigmaphi Accelerator Technologies in Vannes, France
which also provides specialized magnets for medical purposes.
Fitting the new magnets into the Advanced Light Source building
at LBNL is a delicate part of the upgrade project, known as ALS-U,
to add two new particle accelerator rings within the footprint of the
lab's iconic circular building.
" The biggest challenge for ALS-U is space, " said Daniela Leitner,
who leads the removal and installation team at ALS for the project.
" We are literally measuring whether we can put a hand into a
particular area. " Many elements in the accelerator tunnel can't be
moved, including the new accumulator ring that will run along the
inner tunnel wall. Experts have used extensive modeling and simulations
to make sure that the current storage ring can be safely
removed along designated access paths and replaced with the
new rafts of magnets.
Sigmaphi was selected to provide 17 magnets for the project.
They consist of 6 dipoles and 11 quadrupoles, plus 3 dipole injection
kickers for the accumulator ring. The company reports that it
will make stretch wire measurements with its magnetic test bench
on a dipole and will fabricate two quadrupoles in C-shape.
The project is one of many that the
Vannes-based company has been
called upon as a provider of scientific
and laboratory magnets over its
40-year history. In another recent
project, for example, it was engaged
to build a particle therapy dipole
magnet for MedAustran, a renowned
cancer research and treatment center
located south of Vienna in Austria
that provides ion beam therapy,
also known as proton therapy. It is
unique in Austria and only one of
a half-dozen such facilities in the
world. Ion beam or particle therapy
is extremely precise for cancer treatment
with the advantage of reducing
the risk of side effects and long-term
side effects.
" Particle therapy can not
only increase the chances
of healing cancer that is
difficult to treat, but also
improves the patient's quality
of life at the same time. "
Prof. Dr. Eugen B. Hug, Managing
and Medical Director
at MedAustron
Technology behind the scenes at MedAustron - the heart of the particle
accelerator
Radiation treatment rooms at MedAustron are equipped with a robotcontrolled
couch for patient positioning
Particle therapy dipole at Sigmaphi facilities in Vannes, France
12 Magnetics Business & Technology * January/February 2024
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Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2024

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