Input
2 GeV protons
Stage 3 of 5
PS
The Proton Synchrotron takes booster output and can accelerate protons up to about 26 GeV. It is also a flexible platform for timing, bunch shaping, and beam experiments before transfer onward.
Process
Bunching, accelerating rings, handoff timing
Output
up to about 26 GeV proton beam
Energy
up to about 26 GeV
Interactive simulator
How the beam moves through this stage.
Real ramping programs are far richer; here we show one smooth progression.
Particleproton
Energyup to about 26 GeV
Beam formatbunch
Speed (v / c)99.9393%
At this energy the proton travels about 299,611 km/s — 99.9393% of the speed of light (c = 299,792 km/s). Past this point more energy barely raises the speed; it pours into momentum instead.
Scale note
Mid-sized circular machine hub
Key terms
Synchrotron, and Bunch.
What happens, in order
- 01Input2 GeV protons
- 02ProcessBunching, accelerating rings, handoff timing
- 03Outputup to about 26 GeV proton beam
Key terms: Synchrotron, and Bunch.
Quick facts
Technology
Synchrotron with room-temperature electromagnets
Hub role
Injector and versatile service machine
Output
to SPS and experimental transfers
Beam format
Bunched beam
Sources
Where these numbers come from.
- 01
CERN Proton Synchrotron
https://home.cern/science/accelerators/proton-synchrotron/Official machine page used for the Proton Synchrotron stage and its role in the CERN complex.
- 02
CERN Accelerator Complex overview
https://home.cern/science/accelerators/Official public summary used for accelerator principles, beamline framing, and the CERN accelerator network.
Guided tour
Guided learning path
Four steps: follow the beam, see the aftermath, compare with spacetime signals, then test your intuition.
- 01 · You are here
Follow the beam
Start with the injector chain so the rest of the site follows a physical sequence.
Open - 02 · Next
See the collision aftermath
See which detectors catch which particles after a collision.
Open - 03 · Next
Compare with spacetime signals
Switch to gravitational waves: tune mass, distance, and noise to find the signal.
Open - 04 · Next
Test your intuition
Short quizzes on accelerator ordering, detector choice, and signal tuning.
Open