Diamond Light Source (and Diamond-II Upgrade)
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, UK · Phase I completed 2007; Diamond-II upgrade approved 2023, with first buildings due for completion early 2026. · £263 million (Phase I cost); £519.4 million (Diamond-II upgrade project cost)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchDiamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, crucial for research in life, physical, and environmental sciences. - The Diamond-II upgrade represents a significant investment to enhance the facility's capabilities, allowing for even brighter and more focused X-ray beams. - The project involves a strong collaboration between government funding and charitable organizations (Wellcome) to advance scientific infrastructure. - The facility is designed to support a wide range of scientific experiments, from drug discovery to advanced materials research. - The upgrade project emphasizes combining complex engineering with logistical and planning activities to ensure a smooth transition and minimal downtime.
Key engineering challenges
Designing, constructing, and operating a highly complex synchrotron facility that produces extremely bright light for scientific research. - Maintaining ultra-high vacuum conditions within the accelerator rings and beamlines. - Managing the precise alignment and stability of magnetic components and optical elements to generate and focus the synchrotron light. - Integrating advanced control systems for the accelerator and beamlines to ensure stable and reliable operation. - Overcoming logistical challenges in transporting and installing critical, often large and delicate, components for upgrades like Diamond-II.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- UK Government (86%) and Wellcome (14% for Diamond-II); operated by Diamond Light Source Ltd
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build | upgrade | expansion
- Scale
- Works like a giant microscope, harnessing electrons to produce light 10 billion times brighter than the sun; up to 40 cutting-edge research stations (beamlines); Diamond-II upgrade involves complex engineering, logistical, and planning activities.
- Disciplines
- Accelerator physics; electrical; mechanical; civil; structural; vacuum engineering; cryogenics; optics; control systems; materials science
- Standards & frameworks
- Relevant British Standards for scientific facilities; radiation safety regulations; vacuum technology standards; accelerator physics guidelines
Sources: Diamond Light Source: Official Website (https://www.diamond.ac.uk/) - Diamond Light Source: Funding for Diamond-II approved (https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/News/LatestNews/2023/060923.html) - T-SQUARED: Diamond Light Source Harwell (https://tsquared.co.uk/case-studies/diamond-light-source-new/) - Diamond Light Source: Diamond-II challenges and novel solutions for upgrading the national synchrotron light facility (https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Events/2024/Diamond-II-challenges-and-novel-solutions-for-upgrading-the-national-synchrotron-light-facility-.html)