Test beamline delivered from the SPS. In photo 20 GeV positrons are used to calibrate the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. | |
General properties | |
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Accelerator type | Synchrotron |
Beam type | protons, heavy ions |
Target type | Injector for LHC, fixed target |
Beam properties | |
Maximum energy | 450 GeV |
Physical properties | |
Circumference | 6.9 kilometres (4.3 mi) |
Coordinates | 46°14′06″N 6°02′33″E / 46.23500°N 6.04250°E |
Institution | CERN |
Dates of operation | 1976–present |
Preceded by | SppS |
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Current particle and nuclear facilities | |
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LHC | Accelerates protons and heavy ions |
LEIR | Accelerates ions |
SPS | Accelerates protons and ions |
PSB | Accelerates protons |
PS | Accelerates protons or ions |
Linac 3 | Injects heavy ions into LEIR |
Linac4 | Accelerates ions |
AD | Decelerates antiprotons |
ELENA | Decelerates antiprotons |
ISOLDE | Produces radioactive ion beams |
MEDICIS | Produces isotopes for medical purposes |
The Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) is a particle accelerator of the synchrotron type at CERN. It is housed in a circular tunnel, 6.9 kilometres (4.3 mi) in circumference,[1] straddling the border of France and Switzerland near Geneva, Switzerland.[2]