Department High Brightness Beams
Beams and Applications
Ultrafast Electron Scattering (UED and UEM) at SEALab: Pushing the Frontiers of Structural Imaging with MeV Beams
A proposed setup to implement ultra-fast scattering operation modes at the SRF photoinjector of SEALab.
Ultrafast Electron Diffraction (UED) is a cutting-edge pump-probe technique designed to capture structural changes in materials triggered by photoexcitation. At SEALAb, a state-of-the-art superconducting RF photoinjector at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, advancing MeV UED capabilities is a key focus.
Achieving high temporal resolution is essential for successful UED experiments. The SRF Photoinjector, Sealab’s primary beamline, provides exceptional control over the longitudinal phase space of electron bunches, enabling precise pulse manipulation. The accelerator’s continuous-wave (CW) operation also ensures superior beam stability. It supports high repetition rates, offering higher performance than conventional NCRF gun-based systems for applications demanding MeV beams at MHz repetition rates.
This initiative highlights Sealab’s capacity to provide the ultrafast precision needed for UED research while showcasing the latest developments and tools vital for groundbreaking experiments.
Electron Beam Water Treatment (EBWT) at Sealab: A Sustainable Solution for PFAS Removal
Scheme for electron beam treatment of wastewater using a beam from a compact accelerator with SEALab technology.
The Electron Beam Water Treatment (EBWT@SEALAB) project leverages cutting-edge superconducting RF accelerator technology to address the urgent challenge of PFAS contamination in water. Using an electron beam from a compact accelerator, this innovative approach aims to efficiently degrade harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), offering a fast, scalable, and environmentally friendly solution.
We aim to optimize electron beam parameters for EBWT and develop a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and mobile accelerator system capable of rapid deployment to contamination hotspots. Simulation studies have identified the Sealab accelerator at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin as an ideal R&D platform to explore the high-power electron beam characteristics required for effective PFAS degradation.
To advance this technology, we have designed a proof-of-concept experiment featuring an innovative in-air beamline, optimized through dose deposition and thermal management simulations. These studies have been instrumental in determining key parameters such as dose rate, thermal stability, and energy deposition, paving the way for the next generation of sustainable water treatment solutions.
Publications and Talks
- B. Alberdi, Novel Approaches and Innovative Modalities in Ultrafast Electron Scattering Applications with Accelerators, Talk at High Brightness Beams Workshop in 2023,
- T. Spohr et al, Compact High Power, Medium Energy Electron Accelerator for Treatment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Contaminations in Water - EBWT@SEALAB. Paper under review, 2025.