Speaker
Description
The STAR project (Southern Europe Thomson Backscattering Source for Applied Research), hosted at the University of Calabria (Italy), is a compact accelerator facility producing tunable, polarized, ps-duration X-rays (40–350 keV) via Thomson scattering. Its Phase II development, nearing completion, integrates an S-band RF gun operating at a cutting-edge 100 Hz repetition rate, one S-band SLAC-type acceleration module and dual C-band accelerating cavities, enabling advanced beam dynamics schemes to minimize energy spread. The electron beam currently achieves 140–150 MeV with 500 pC bunch charge, with ongoing studies to maximize flux at higher charges.
The EPICS-based control system now incorporates GIOTTO, a genetic algorithm for AI-driven optimization. The source’s tunability and high flux make it ideal for phase-contrast imaging and non-invasive analysis of materials, including archaeological artifacts. First diagnostic results on electron and X-ray beams are expected by late 2025, showcasing STAR’s role in advancing compact accelerator technology for multidisciplinary applications.
| Abstract Category | Accelerators |
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