17–22 May 2026
C.I.D
Europe/Zurich timezone

Status of accelerator automation in the community: classification, survey results, and the role of ai and machine learning

WEP6099
20 May 2026, 16:00
2h
C.I.D

C.I.D

Deauville, France
Poster Presentation MC6.T04: Accelerator/Storage Ring Control Systems Poster session

Speaker

Stephan Reimann (GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research)

Description

The increasing complexity of particle accelerators and the growing demand for operational efficiency have intensified the focus on automation in accelerator control systems. However, there is still a lack of a common language to describe and compare the level of automation across different facilities. This article presents a generic classification scheme for accelerator automation, defining five distinct levels ranging from basic operational assistance to full autonomy. To assess the current state of automation in the accelerator community, a structured survey was conducted during the 14th Workshop on Accelerator Operations (WAO 2025). Responses from major laboratories indicate that more than one third of accelerators currently operate at the lowest level 1 (operational assistance), and no facility has yet reached full automation. However, projections show a clear trend toward higher levels within the next decade. Key drivers include optimization algorithms for autotuning, finite-state machines, and closed-loop feedback systems. This study provides both a conceptual framework and a snapshot of current implementation practices, supporting a shared understanding of accelerator automation across the community.

In which format do you inted to submit your paper? LaTeX

Author

Stephan Reimann (GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research)

Co-authors

Brian Freeman (Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility) Fusashi Miyahara (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization) Glen Johns (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Gregory Marr (Brookhaven National Laboratory) Jun Xing (Institute of High Energy Physics) Kathleen Genge (TRIUMF) Laurent Hardy (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) Mike Lafky (Australian Synchrotron) Montserrat Pont (ALBA Synchrotron (Spain)) Peter Schuh (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) Rende Steerenberg (European Organization for Nuclear Research) Yoshiyuki Iwata (National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Accelerator and Medical Physics)

Presentation materials

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