HERA

In order to gain an insight into the interactions and nature of fundamental particles, huge experiments have been built to collide particles at high energies and detect what has been produced. HERA (Hadron Electron Ring Accelerator) was built to accelerate electrons and protons and collide them at high energies. HERA is located at the DESY laboratory in Hamberg, Germany in deep underground tunnels approximately 16km in circumference.

	An aerial veiw of the DESY laboratory showing the location of the underground HERA ring. The other track shown called PETRA is a particle storage ring.
This is a picture of part of the HERA accelerator inside the tunnel about 25 metres under the ground. The beam pipes must be evacuated and huge magnetic fields must be applied all around the accelorator to contain and focus the particle beams. The particles are accelerated using radio frequency cavities at various positions arround the accelerator.