The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has been at the leading edge of research in nuclear and high energy physics research for nearly 60 years. As of today, more than 2000 staff working at CERN and more than 5000 users from around the world participate in different experiments.
Relevant experience
CERN has been actively participating in the previous European Union Framework Programs. For instance, CERN participated in 34 projects, and coordinated 11 of them, within the EU-FP6 that ran from 2002 to 2006. During the first five years of Framework Program 7 (2007-2012), CERN participated in successful proposals for 76 new EU projects with durations of two to five years. Of these projects, 31 are coordinated by CERN, an increase from FP6. In addition to the Research Infrastructure, e-Infrastructure, and Marie-Curie programs, in which CERN has been actively involved for some time, the Organization is also participating in the Cooperation, Science and Society, and Ideas programs of FP7. Currently, more than 200 staff, fellows and associates are working on different EU projects at CERN.
Regarding the research in nuclear energy, the flagship program at CERN is the 200 m long neutron time-of-flight n_TOF facility. At n_TOF, which became operative in the year 2001, the main activities are devoted to measure neutron-induced reaction cross sections with very high accuracy, in particular, of actinides of which the cross sections play a key role for improving the performance and safety of both existing and future nuclear energy systems. Previous EU projects have already supported the n_TOF activities through the projects n_TOF-ND-ADS (FP5), EUROTRANS (FP6), ERINDA (FP7) and ANDES (FP7).
Role and main tasks
In the framework of the new CHANDA project (WP1 and WP7), CERN will be contructing a new neutron beam line at only 20 meters from the exisiting spallation target. This facility will, together with Neutrons for Science (NFS) in France, boost the capabilities of the European Union for measuring neutron-induced reactions.
Scientific and technical personnel involved
The n_TOF team at CERN will be composed by the Spokesperson of the n_TOF Collaboration (Dr. Enrico Chiaveri), the Physics and Analysis Coordinator (Dr. Carlos Guerrero) and the Scientific Associate (Dr. Eric Berthoumieux), plus all the members of the Collaboration that participate in the experiments at CERN.