Installation of the European XFEL Photon Vacuum System

Starting 2017 the European XFEL will generate up to 27000 ultra short X-ray pulses per second with a brilliance that is a billion times higher than that of the best conventional X-ray radiation sources. The facility, which is the only one of its kind in the world, will open up new research opportunities.The poster will provide a brief overview of the European XFEL photon transport system and will focus on the ongoing installation of the 2,9 km long ultra-high vacuum system in the underground tunnels.Some examples of optical elements and gas based vacuum devices like gas attenuator and differential pumping unit are shown more in detail. Challenges such as handling particle-free assembly of components, avoiding particle transport through the vacuum system and on-site orbital welding of long beam pipes in the tunnel will be addressed.A section will dedicate to the concept of the PLC-based vacuum control system.References[1] H. Sinn, M. Dommach, X. Dong, D. La Civita, L. Samoylova, R. Villanueva, and F. Yang: “Technical Design Report: X-Ray Optics and Beam Transport” XFEL.EU TR-2012-006 (2012