Students conduct research at ELSA: Revolutionary experiments in Bonn!

Students conduct research at ELSA: Revolutionary experiments in Bonn!

On September 25, 2025, five students from Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas, will experiment at the electron stretcher facility (ELSA) at the University of Bonn. This scientific initiative is part of the Beamline for Schools (BL4S) program, created by CERN to give upper secondary school students worldwide the opportunity to design and conduct their own physics experiments. Prof. Dr. Klaus Desch, the director of ELSA, is proud of his facility's participation in this important educational program and the opportunities it offers students.

The “Xtreme” team will study the transition radiation over 14 days. This electromagnetic phenomenon occurs when charged particles cross the boundary between two materials with different properties. As part of their study, students explore samples made from alternating layers of non-conductive and metallic materials. The X-rays generated by the transition radiation are detected using sensors from the University of Bonn. The overall goal of this research is the development of soft X-ray sources and non-destructive beam diagnostics, which is important for a wide range of applications in science and medicine.

The goal of “Beamline for Schools”

“Beamline for Schools” is a global physics competition that promotes creativity in students. A total of 508 proposals were submitted in 2025, a record that reflects the great enthusiasm and commitment of young researchers. These suggestions come from approximately 3,653 students from 72 different countries. What is particularly noteworthy is that around 35 percent of the participants are female, which supports the initiative to promote equal opportunities in science.

The deadline for submitting experiments was April 10, 2025. Experts evaluated the submissions and identified the best proposals. The winners were announced on July 9th through official press releases from CERN, DESY and the University of Bonn. The five selected teams were allowed to carry out their experiments in September 2025 and will also have the opportunity to interact with renowned scientists.

A look at the technology of particle acceleration

Particle accelerators like the ELSA facility use fundamental physical principles to generate and accelerate charged particles. Various technologies such as the cathode ray tube and the cyclotron, which have been developed since the end of the 19th century, are used. These accelerators use the power of magnetic fields to accelerate particles along spiral paths.

The techniques and systems have evolved over the years. Today's accelerators reach energies of up to several TeV (teraelectron volts) and are used in both basic research and clinical areas, such as proton therapy, which is used to fight cancer. Through these concepts, scientists can gain deeper insights into the structure of matter and make progress in various research fields.

The importance of such programs such as Beamline for Schools cannot be overstated, as they not only encourage young people's interest in science, but also help create a broader and more diverse base for future scientists.