3D PRINTED LINAC

Assembly Instructions

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Contents
0) Introduction .......................................................................................................................3
1) 3D printed LINAC: Overview ............................................................................................. 4
2) 3D printed LINAC: Manual control via pushbutton ........................................................ 5
3) 3D printed LINAC: Automatic control via light barriers................................................11
Reference Images ...................................................................................................................17

Bernstein, Fabian; Keller, Oliver (2020). 3D printed LINAC. Assembly Instructions.

Version 1

More ideas for the classroom:

https://cern.ch/scoollab/classroom-activities

License Information:

Copyright CERN 2020.

This source describes Open Hardware and is licensed under the CERN-OHL-P v2

You may redistribute and modify this documentation and make products using it under
the terms of the CERN-OHL-P v2 (https:/cern.ch/cern-ohl). This documentation is
distributed WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING OF
MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Please see the CERN-OHL-P v2 for applicable conditions.
 0) Introduction
Linear particle accelerators (LINACs) are fundamental to modern particle physics. At
CERN, linear accelerators are at the very core of the accelerator chain and serve as the
main source for ion beams (LINAC 3) and proton beams (LINAC 4), respectively. Despite
their importance for experimental particle physics, very few teaching aids have been
available to demonstrate the underlying principles in a hands-on fashion to high school
students. This is why the 3D printed LINAC has been developed.

At its core, the 3D printed LINAC is a fully functional model to demonstrate how
charged particles can be accelerated in oscillating electric fields. In the model, a
graphite coated ping pong ball is accelerated through a plexiglass tube using a custom-
built High Voltage switch.

Minimal equipment is needed: A 3D-printer for the main components, an Arduino for
controlling the accelerator, some standard electronic components, and a plexiglass tube.
A list of the required materials is provided in this manual. Note, however, that setting up
the LINAC model can be challenging, and the model itself is still work-in-progress.

This manual is built on the premise that you are either an engineer, physicist or a
physics teacher and that you are hence familiar with all precautions necessary to
safely handle High Voltages generated by a Wimshurst machine. Do not build this
accelerator if those conditions do not apply to you. Do not use any other source of
High Voltage!

Health and Safety Warnings

Attention High Voltage!

The experiments described in this manual make use of a Wimshurst

machine commonly used in high schools for teaching purposes.
Do not use any other High Voltage source!
Serious risk of electric shock and resulting injuries!

All safety restrictions set forth in the manual of the Wimshurst

machine and all governmental safety regulations apply.

Disclaimer of warranty

This documentation is distributed WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY,

INCLUDING OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Please see the CERN-OHL-P v2 for applicable conditions.
 1) 3D printed LINAC: Overview

1.1) Physics Background

The 3D-printed LINAC uses electrostatic fields generated by a Wimshurst machine

to accelerate a graphite coated ping-pong ball in a plexiglass tube. In contrast to
the well known salad bowl accelerator, the 3D-printed LINAC does not rely on
repeatedly reversing the charge of the ping pong ball. Instead, the polarisation
of the accelerating field is reversed by means of a custom build Arduino-
controlled High Voltage switch. This minimizes the risk of building up student
misconceptions and mirrors more closely the fundamental principle of actual
linear accelerators.

1.2) Main components and variants of the experiment

The 3D-printed LINAC consists of the following main components:

a) High Voltage Source: Standard Wimshurst machine

b) Accelerated particle: graphite coated ping-pong ball
c) Beam pipe: 150cm plexiglass tube (transparent PMMA)
d) Drift tubes: Copper foil tape
e) High voltage switch: Small servo motor which alternates between two
positions
f) Accelerator control: Arduino microcontroller and several electronic
components

The accelerator comes in two different variants: It can either be controlled manually via
a pushbutton or by using light barriers. Control via light barriers is an add-on, i.e., it can
be added optionally to the experiment after the manual control has been implemented.
 2) 3D printed LINAC: Manual control via pushbutton
The simpler version of the LINAC uses a pushbutton to control the state of the high
voltage switch. Pushing the button manually reverses the polarisation of the drift
tubes each time the ping pong ball passes one of the copper tape loops.

2.1) Required Materials & 3D printed parts

A) 3D printed parts
Track start &
HV switch bar Center support
HV switch

1x 1x 1x

End support High Voltage Pylon

1x 9x
 B) Required materials

Wimshurst Machine Plexiglass Tube Ping pong ball

1x 1x 1x
Standard Wimshurst
Rec. size: 150 cm Either already graphite
Machine as used for
Diameter (outside): 80 mm coated or standard ping
classroom
Diameter (inside): 70 mm pong ball
demonstrations

Knurled Screw Electronic components Other Components

1x Graphite spray if
ping pong ball not
1x Arduino Uno
already coated
1x Servo MG90S
1x Self adhesive copper
1x resistor 1kΩ
foil tape, width app.
2x Zener Diode, 5,1V
10 mm
1x pushbutton
11x Laboratory HV
2x 1x potentiometer
cables (banana plug)
1x breadboard
11x Alligator clip for
Jumper Wires
M4 4mm banana plug

2.2) Assembly

The assembly of the LINAC model requires the following steps:

1) First, the HV switch, which also serves as tube support and the starting point of
the acceleration track has to be assembled.
2) After that, the plexiglass tube will be placed onto the support structure. The
copper tape, which serves as “drift tubes,” needs to be wrapped in loops around
the plexiglass tube.
3) In the next step, the HV pylons have to be clipped onto the plexiglass tube.
4) The High Voltage cables have to be connected to the Wimshurst machine and the
High Voltage switch. Furthermore, the copper loops have to be connected.
5) The control circuit has to be build, and the Arduino needs to be set up and the
provided sketch needs to be uploaded.

Each step will now be explained in greater detail.

2.2.1. Assembly of HV switch/track start

The 3D-printed part should Mount the servo (MG90S) in the Glue the HV switch bar to the
look like this. recess provided. servo. The orientation is clearly
defined by the shape of the
recess in the HV switch bar.

Stick the copper tape in two The copper tape should be Ultimately the servo will change
strips on the bracket as shown taped around the bracket so the positions of the connections
in the picture. that the ping pong ball touches to the Wimshurst machine (red
the tape on the other side. and blue) in such a way that
the polarisation of the copper
tape is reversed each time the
switch is tripped.

Insert the two HV lab cables to Fasten the HV lab cables with Clip the HV lab cables to the
the Wimshurst machine the locking screws. The copper tape using the alligator
through the openings in the HV pressure must not be too clips. These cables will lead to
switch bar. The HV lab cables strong (otherwise, the HV the “drift tubes,” that is, the
must be stripped prior to this, switch bar will not move) or too copper tape loops around the
so that good contact is made weak (no reliable contact). plexiglass tube.
with the copper tape.
 2.2.2. Preparation of the “drift tubes”

To Wimshurst
machine

Place the plexiglass tube on the support structure, cut pieces of tape of suitable length, and place them
in loops around the plexiglass tube as shown in the picture. The spacing of the loops will depend on
the voltage you can achieve with the Wimshurst machine – the greater the voltage, the further the
loops can be place apart. Try 15cm spacing as a starting value and adjust the spacing accordingly to
obtain the maximum acceleration.

2.2.3. HV pylons

Clip the HV pylons onto the plexiglass tube with alternating orientation. Leave a bit of space between the
HV pylon and the copper loops since the alligator clips have a certain length.
2.2.4. Connect Wimshurst machine and copper tape loops (“drift tubes”)

Connect the HV lab cables of the switch to the Wimshurst machine, if not already done. Connect the HV
lab cables clipped onto the copper tape of the HV switch to the drift tubes in an alternating fashion (see
picture above). The HV cables should not touch the ground or conductive surfaces at any point since
that will greatly reduce the voltage that can be constantly generated with the Wimshurst machine. You
can use the metal spheres of the Wimshurst machine to determine the voltage that is achieved once the
HV lab cables have been connected (1cm spark gap ~ 10kV). Usually, a significant voltage drop will be
observed once the HV lab cables have been connected. This cannot be completely prevented; however,
the voltage drop should be as small as possible.

2.2.5. Control circuit

The control circuit for the linear accelerator is depicted above. A sketch for the Arduino Uno is
provided on the S’CoolLAB website.

Build the circuit according to the schematics and upload he provided sketch to the Arduino.
Once powered up, two different positions of the HV switch will be stored in memory, which
correspond to the positions between which the switch will alternate. Use the potentiometer to
move the switch to the first position and press the pushbutton to store it into memory. After
that, set the second position with the potentiometer and store it using the pushbutton.

Once stored, pressing the pushbutton again will result in the switch cycling between those
previously-stored positons.

A word of explanation on the Zener diodes: The diodes serve as overvoltage protection for the
Arduino input since the Wimshurst machine tends to induce considerable voltage peaks in the
Arduino jumper wires. Additionally, software debouncing has been implemented. Several
readings of the input for the pushbutton will be compared, and a change of state will only be
accepted if these readouts match.

2.3) Operating the accelerator

Operating the accelerator model is straightforward. If not already done, spray the ping
pong ball with the graphite spray to create a conductive coating. Do so several times
and let it dry.

Place the coated ping pong ball on the track start. It needs to touch the copper tape; the
track is slightly inclined to facilitate this contact. Make sure the Wimshurst machine is
properly connected, and contact to the copper tape is made through the stripped HV
cables. Usually, the ping ball should start moving by itself once the Wimshurst machine
is charging up. If it does not, try to move the first “drift tube” (=copper tape loop) closer
to the track start. Sometimes the ping pong ball has to be gently kicked off.

Once the ping pong ball starts moving down the tube, press the pushbutton each time,
the ping pong ball passes through one of the loops. This will reverse the polarisation of
the drift tubes and make the ball accelerate over time. As you will find, it can be quite
challenging to time it just right. This can be used as a motivation to move on to the
more sophisticated light barrier controlled LINAC model.
 3) 3D printed LINAC: Automatic control via light barriers
The more sophisticated version of the LINAC uses light barriers to automatically
detect if the ping pong ball approaches one of the drift tubes (=copper tape loops).
Technically, it is an add-on to the simpler pushbutton LINAC. Only additionally
required materials are therefore listed below.

2.4) Additional Materials & 3D printed parts required

A) Additional 3D printed parts

Light Barrier Mount

9x

B) Additional materials required

Electronic components
9x Light-dependent
resistor module for
Arduino
9x lever-nuts with 4
connectors
9x lever-nut with 3
connectors
4x Zener Diode, 5,1V
9x LED (green, 6000mcd,
20°)
(Lots of) Jumper Wires,
m-m, m-f, and f-f in
different lengths
2.5) Assembly

To install the light barriers in the linear accelerator, follow these steps

1) For each Light Barrier Mount:

a. Attach the LEDs to the mount.
b. Attach a Light-dependent resistor module to the mount.
c. Insert the lever-nuts into the recesses of the Light barrier mounts.
d. Connect the LED and the Light-dependent resistor module to the lever-nuts
according to the schematic.
2) Clip the Light Barrier Mounts onto the plexiglass tube at the appropriate positions.
3) Modify the control circuit according to the provided schematic.
4) Wire the Light Barriers to each other and to the control circuit.
5) Upload the provided sketch to the Arduino.
6) Test and explore!

2.2.6. Assembly of Light Barrier Mount

The 3D-printed part should Insert the LED into the recess Carefully bend the legs of the
look like this. from the inside. Guide the legs LEDs.
of the LED through the two
openings provided for this
purpose.

Press the photoresistor module Insert the lever-nuts onto the Wire LED and the photoresistor
onto the holder. Carefully mount. module according to the wiring
bend the Photodiode so that it scheme. Also, insert the jumper
sits opposite the LED. wires for the connection of the
photoresistor modules to the
neighboring Light Barrier
Mounts.
 2.2.7. Attach the Light barrier mounts

To Wimshurst
machine

Clip the Light barrier mounts onto the plexiglass tube. The mounts should be placed on the opposite
side of the copper tape relative to the HV connectors. Once the ball passes one of the light barriers, it
will shade the photoresistor from the LED and thus trigger the HV switch. This will reverse the
polarisation at the drift tubes and result in further acceleration of the ping pong ball.
LEDs have been chosen over laser diodes for safety reasons. Note, however, that laser diodes would
generally produce a more reliable signal independent from external lighting conditions.
2.2.8. Modify the control circuit

Modify the control circuit to match the depicted schematic.

2.2.9. Wire the Light Barriers

Wire the light barriers according to the schematic. Set the threshold of the Light-dependent resistor
modules using the adjustment screw in such a way that the HV switch will be triggered by the Arduino
when the photoresistor is shaded from the LED by the ping pong ball.

Note that the wiring of the Light-dependent resistor is somewhat unusual, a so-called daisy-chain (with
output D0 being connected to the ground input of the next module). This is necessary to implement an
inverted AND-logic; that is, the HV switch will be triggered if any of the modules changes its state from
false (unobstructed light) to true (light blocked). Simply combining the (digital) outputs of all the light
barrier modules would result in an OR-logic because only the light barrier which is blocked by the ball
sets its output to 5 V representing logical ‘true’. In this case the switch would only be triggered if all of
the modules changed their state at the same time. This is obviously not what is needed here. This wiring
comes at the price that only a certain number of modules can be connected in a row. If a module is
triggered, all of the subsequent modules will be turned off (since ground will be on VCC level and
therefore there won’t be any potential difference anymore). This will result in the switch being triggered.

2.2.10. Upload the Arduino sketch, set the photoresistor threshold, test

Operation of the LINAC is very simple once all of the thresholds of the light-dependent resistor
modules have been set correctly. Place the ball on the track, start, and turn the crank of the
Wimshurst machine. The ping ball will start moving through the plexiglass tube, and the HV switch
should automatically be triggered each time the ping pong ball passes the light barrier. As a
consequence, the ping pong ball should be accelerated throughout the tube.

.
Reference Images