Feasibility Study for BioLEIR

TL;DR

This study assesses the feasibility of transforming CERN's LEIR accelerator into BioLEIR, a biomedical research facility providing high-quality light ion beams for medical and fundamental research, considering technical, operational, and cost factors.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive feasibility analysis of BioLEIR, including beam requirements, technical design, cost estimation, and risk assessment, to support potential development.

Findings

Beam parameters can meet biomedical research needs.

Design considerations favor simplicity and robustness.

High-level cost and risk estimates are provided.

Abstract

The biomedical community asked CERN to investigate the possibility to transform the Low Energy Ion Ring (LEIR) accelerator into a multidisciplinary, biomedical research facility (BioLEIR) that could provide ample, high-quality beams of a range of light ions suitable for clinically oriented fundamental research on cell cultures and for radiation instrumentation development. BioLEIR would be operated when LEIR is not providing heavy ions for the CERN physics programme. The study group was mandated to write a Feasibility Study Report, using high-level engineering estimates based on previous experience, with the aim to: - collect the requirements for such a facility from the biomedical community in close collaboration with the International Strategy Committee for CERN Medical Applications; - determine a coherent set of beam parameters, based on the requirements; - explore whether the beam requirements can be met throughout the facility, from the source to the biomedical end-stations; - perform a feasibility study of the facility, taking into consideration the overall CERN schedules and programmes; - favour simplicity and robustness of the facility design, while minimizing the cost of maintenance and operation; - establish a high-level costing of material and personnel needed for project implementation; - describe the preferred installation scenario; - perform a high-level risk analysis for the project; - identify the areas of potential difficulty, and the required R&D should the study go ahead and become a project.