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High-tech for particle physics: Steigerwald supplies electron beam welding system to CERN

Steigerwald Strahltechnik has delivered a high‑precision electron beam welding system to the world‑renowned research center CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire). This advanced system will play a pivotal role in the future production of beryllium vacuum chambers for the upgrade of  the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator.

Precision in the toughest environments

In the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), proton beams travel in opposite directions at nearly the speed of light, guided through vacuum chambers that prevent interference from gas particles. At four points along the 27‑kilometer ring, these beams collide, generating high‑energy particles that are studied by sophisticated detector systems, including ALICE, ATLAS, CMS, and LHCb.

To ensure that the particles produced in collisions reach the detectors with minimal disturbance, the vacuum pipest in the collision region must be exceptionally radiation‑permeable, mechanically stable, and manufactured with the highest precision. The material of choice is beryllium- extremely light, strong, and transparent to radiation - yet so demanding to process that it requires adherence to the strictest safety standards.

Redefining research - a new chapter begins

Since the world’s sole supplier of these complex components ceased production in 2023, CERN has taken the decision to manufacture beryllium pipes in its own workshop at the Prévessin site in France. To achieve this, welding technology was needed that is both powerful and exceptionally reliable and Steigerwald Strahltechnik provides exactly that.

Our electron beam welding system enables contact‑free welding in a high‑vacuum environment with maximum precision - an essential requirement for the production of sensitive components, where even the slightest deviation in tolerance could have serious consequences for particle beam experiments.

Empowering the science of tomorrow

The new production facility will, in the coming years, manufacture the next generation of beryllium vacuum pipes for the High‑Luminosity LHC (HL‑LHC) upgrade. Production for the ALICE, ATLAS, and CMS experiments is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the first installations planned during the next LHC maintenance phase, Long Shutdown 3 (2027-2028).

Beyond the immediate benefits for CERN, this project also reinforces Europe’s technological sovereignty and ensures the preservation of expertise in a security‑critical high‑tech field over the long term.

Image:
View of the welding system from Steigerwald Strahltechnik at CERN
The precision welding system from Steigerwald Strahltechnik in use at CERN for the production of beryllium vacuum tubes for the LHC
© CERN, Switzerland