For a change of pace, I have spent some time at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), a particle accelerator complex near Zurich, a kind of companion laboratory to CERN (some say it’s the “boutique” version!) It definitely has a different feel, smaller and more compact overall, and thus more tangible in a way. And just by chance, a group of CLIC / CLEAR physicists were there at the same time as me, all visiting my old mate and collaborator Tom Lucas, who has been developing harmonic resonators and electron guns. Some of the CLIC technologies have gone into the linear accelerator The XFEL is a linear particle accelerator almost (or just!) a kilometre long. called the X-Ray free electron laser (XFEL), which we all found very exciting and inspiring … in a way, it was like getting the band back together!

Here is  an “acccelerated timelapse” video sketch of the linear accelerator which I did on the accelerating train back to CERN.

In memory of Ollie Olsen, an inspiring sonic visionary and pioneer of exploratory and electronic music, who sadly passed away last week.