MeChanICs
Marie Curie Linking Industry to CERN
CLIC in nutshell
CLIC (Compact Linear Collider) is a study for a future electron-positron collider that would allow physicists to explore a new energy region in the multi TeV range beyond the capabilities of today's particle accelerators. It would provide significant fundamental physics information complementary to the LHC and a lower-energy linear e+/e- collider, as a result of its unique combination of high energy and experimental precision.
Within the framework of a world-wide collaboration on Linear Colliders, the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) study aims at a center-of-mass energy range for electron-positron collisions of 0.5 to 5 TeV, optimised for a nominal center-of-mass energy of 3 TeV (3 TeV CLIC). In order to reach this energy in a realistic and cost efficient scenario, the accelerating gradient has to be very high - CLIC aims at an acceleration of 100 MV/m. Superconducting technology being fundamentally limited to lower gradients, only room temperature travelling wave structures at high frequency (12 GHz) are likely to achieve this gradient.
In order to optimize the production of sufficient RF power for this high gradient, CLIC relies upon a novel two-beam-acceleration concept: The 12 GHz RF power is generated by a high current electron beam (drive beam) running parallel to the main beam. This drive beam is declerated in special power extraction structures (PETS) and the generated RF power is transfered to the main beam. This leads to a very simple tunnel layout without any active RF components (i.e. klystrons). Both beams can be generated in a central injector complex and are transported along the linac.
Image: CLIC general layout
Key facts:
CLIC project time line:
Development Phase
2012-2016
Realisation Decision
2016-2017
Preparation Phase
2017-2022
Construction Start
2022-2023
Construction Phase
2023-2030
Commissioning
(1. Stage)
2030
Stage 1
Length:13 km
Energy:0.5 TeV
Stage 2
Length:26 km
Energy:1.5 TeV
Full Length
Length:48 km
Energy: 3TeV