The Linac Test Facility at Daresbury Laboratory

We are experts in all aspects of designing and building particle accelerators. From our home in the North West of England at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Daresbury Laboratory, our talented team has been pioneering science and research for over 60 years. A key aim is to use particle accelerator technology to support industrial applications.

The Linac Test Facility (LTF) is a unique and flexible facility for electron irradiation of a wide range of components.

The LTF is available for industry to evaluate the impact of electron irradiation on components such as electronics and solar cells, evaluating radiation hardness for use in space or other challenging environments.

The LTF can also be used for a wide range of other applications of electron beams, for example security scanning and radiotherapy research, introducing nitrogen vacancies into materials and gemstone colouration.

The system is housed in a fully shielded radiation test cell with separate control room and provides client access to a flexible experimental area.

Highlights of the Linac Test Facility

The facility uses a commercially available 6 MeV linear particle accelerator and is contained within a spacious usable experimental area to allow for hassle-free setup of samples and further equipment.

The Linac produces electrons or X-rays for irradiation.

Key Operational Parameters

  • Energy range between 3.8 MeV – 6 MeV; desirable to mimic impact of electrons in space environment.
  • The fluence for X-rays is typically 1600 Rads/min at 50 cm or 2e10 particles per s x sq.cm
  • The fluence for electrons is typically 0.7 µA at 50cm or 1e13 particles per s x sq.cm.
  • Pulse repetition rate is typically 100 - 200 Hz.
  • Static beam is of adjustable size.
  • Studies can be performed in vacuum or other atmospheres.

For more information, contact:

Follow us on LinkedIn @STFC Business & Innovation

About STFC

Providing unique access to large-scale science facilities, equipment, and expertise both in the UK and internationally, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) works collaboratively with businesses to reduce the risk surrounding innovation and enable new applications of technology in exciting and disruptive ways. By co-locating businesses alongside our facilities and expertise at 3 UK locations – Daresbury, Harwell, and Edinburgh – and catalysing this with industry cluster networks, we bring together the people who can innovate and change the world for the better.

STFC, part of UK Research and Innovation, is a world-leading multidisciplinary science organisation. Working collaboratively with academia to create an environment for UK scientific research to flourish, STFC is a national resource available to support UK businesses, from spin-outs to corporates.