Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum supplied key vacuum components to CERN’s Large Hadron Collider and ATLAS/CMS detectors

Oerlikon congratulates CERN on its success in identifying the Higgs particle

Swiss global high-tech group Oerlikon today congratulates the CERN scientists involved in the ATLAS (A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS) and CMS (Compact Muon Spectrometer) experiments for identifying clear signs of a new atomic particle. An achieve- ment made using the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) at CERN, this discovery promises to be the long-sought Higgs particle which could help answer many of the remaining mysteries of particle physics.

The LHC is a gigantic 27-kilometer ring accelerator which requires ultra-high vacuum conditions to oper- ate. Along with the four detectors used for experiments at CERN, which include ATLAS and CMS, it is located deep below the ground. The strong radiation caused by the accelerated particles within the LHC and the presence of very strong magnetic fields present technical challenges for the design and operation of vacuum systems. Working together effectively with several scientific and technical collaborators responsible for various aspects of the experiments, Oerlikon designed systems which overcame these chal- lenges and are absolutely unique to CERN.

Oerlikon’s vacuum technology business, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum, is a pioneer and technology leader in its sector and equipped the LHC and the large ATLAS detector with special vacuum systems, then de- signed and installed two special pump systems for the CMS detector system, for which Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum received a CMS Gold Award in 2008. This award, presented by the CMS Collaboration, recog- nizes outstanding technological contributions.

Andreas Widl, CEO of Oerlikon Vacuum, said: “We are proud and excited for the ATLAS and CMS teams after the breakthrough announcement. This experiment has significant importance for a better under- standing of the world of physics. It is the result of the hard and creative work of exceptional teams. We at Oerlikon Vacuum congratulate those teams and feel honored to have made a small contribution to this success.”

Dr. José Miguel Jimenez, Head of CERN’s Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings group in the Technology Department said: “To meet this amazing challenge, we were pleased to find in Oerlikon a partner capable of collaborating with us in the vacuum systems of the LHC and its injectors. Alongside their work with us this really makes Oerlikon a part of the story.”

Oerlikon CEO Michael Buscher said: “R&D applications like those of CERN are a perfect illustration of how we are devoted to solving the most difficult challenges together with our customers and partners. Innovation is at the very core of Oerlikon’s DNA and plays an essential role in our long-term strategy for profitable growth.”

Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum offers customers optimized vacuum solutions, driving down cost of ownership and enhancing production reliability and profitability.

Today, full system integration of all components is one of the most important requirements for the design and operation of a vacuum system posed by customers in industry, R&D and analytical business fields. The full-line vacuum portfolio offered by Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum supports all manufacturing processes within coating, metals, and other industrial applications in the rough, medium, and high vacuum regime. Pumping technologies, systems and services include components, standardized systems and fully customized vacuum solutions. The product range comprises oil sealed rotary vane and piston pumps, dry compressing and oil-free pumps, vacuum boosters, turbo- molecular, oil diffusion & cryogenic vacuum pumps, as well as standard and customized research coating systems. Repair & remanufacturing of all brands of vacuum pumps complement the vacuum portfolio.

Oerlikon (SWX: OERL) is among the world's most successful industrial high-tech companies focusing on machine and systems engineering. Oerlikon stands for leading industrial solutions and cutting-edge technology in textile production, thin-film solar, thin film coating, propulsion, precision and vacuum technology. As a company with Swiss roots and over 17,000 employees at 150 locations in 38 countries, Oerlikon has evolved into a global player today with sales amounting to CHF 4.2 billion in 2011. In 2011, the company invested CHF 213 Mio. in research and development. More than 1,200 specialists create products and services for tomorrow. The group is ranked first or second in each of its respective markets.
Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum offers a broad range of advanced vacuum solutions for use in manufacturing and analytical processes, as well as for research purposes. The Segment’s core capabilities centre on the development of application- and customer-specific systems for the creation of vacuums and extraction of processing gases. Fields of application are coating technologies, thin films and data storage, analytical instruments and classic industrial processes.

Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum GmbH
Christina Steigler
Corporate Communications
Bonner Straße 498
50968 Köln
Tel.: +49 221 - 347 1261
christina.steigler@oerlikon.com
www.oerlikon.com/leyboldvacuum

This release was published on openPR.