CERN Performs First Autopsy on Radioactive Beam Dump

For the first time, CERN performed an autopsy on a radioactive beam dump to investigate nitrogen leaks. After ten years of operation, the dump showed signs of degradation. Engineers overcame the challenges of the high-radiation environment using robots and automated circular saws to dissect the dump's housing and examine its high-density, low-density, and extruded graphite components. Cracks were found in the extruded graphite, but the low- and high-density graphite were in good condition. This autopsy provided valuable data for LHC Run 3 and future HL-LHC beam dump designs, leading to improvements in spare dump designs.