ASTRID2
Access to ASTRID2
The beamline areas outside the concrete wall surrounding the ASTRID2 ring are always accessible (see the image above), but the area indicated in green is not accessible when the ring is in operation, due to high levels of ionizing radiation, i.e. they are classified as controlled areas.
Status of ASTRID2
The current operational status of the ring can be found here. On this page you will find the status of the beam, which operational mode the ring is currently in and whether access into the restricted (green area) is possible.
Interlocked doors
You can see the open or closed status of the rings around the facility, there are "traffic lights" at all doors into the rings.
If the doors are closed and the light is either RED or YELLOW - DO NOT OPEN the door as ASTRID2 is running. Opening a door while in this state will cause the electron beam in the ring to be dumped.
If the light next to the door is green then ASTRID2 is off and you may enter the ring area. Note that some elements may still be active, e.g. power supplies, magnets, etc., so maintain a safe distance to the accelerator components. Please see the safety notice on the doors.
- If the light is red or yellow, do not enter! Under normal circumstances, it should not be necessary for you to enter the ring areas. In case of serious incidents like fire, the doors can be opened and the electron beam will be dumped. This will make the area safe from radiation. All electrical power can be turned off by operating one of the main switches on the power distribution board inside the ASTRID2 ring.
- A flashing yellow light indicates that the hall is currently being closed ready for injection, so you should not enter the ring areas.
ASTRID2 radiation safety
The level of radiation area outside the concrete walls i.e. outside the green area, is generally low (at the level of background radiation) and does not require that a dosimeter is worn by short term visitors who are working on one of the ASTRID2 beam lines.
However, there are areas with an increased level of radiation, these are:
- The radiation compounds, the areas behind the concrete wall: access to these areas is via interlocked doors, such that opening a door will cause an immediate dump of the electron beam generating the radiation.
It is not allowed to climb on or over the walls. - There are a few areas outside the wall, near places where a beam tube passes through the wall, where there are slightly increased levels of radiation. The affected areas are fenced off, and you may not stay in these areas for any prolonged period of time.
You should never enter these restricted areas without first receiving permission from the ASTRID2 beam line scientist you are working with.
- The visitor platform. There are occasions during machine physics when it is not possible to access the platform due to higher radiation levels. When this is the case a chain and sign will be placed across the entrance to the platform (right image below).
During operation of the ring, the average radiation level is elevated while standing on the platform, however only to a dose rate level equivalent to flying in a commercial aircraft at an altitude of 10 km, i.e. negligible for brief stays on the platform.
Dosimeters
As a visitor to ASTRID2 working on one of the beamlines, you do not require a dosimeter while you are here on a short term basis. New students or employees at AU should contact the Radiation Safety Officer (see below) for more detailed instructions and information regarding radiation safety and dosimeters.
If you have been issued a dosimeter from your home affiliation, this SHOULD NOT be brought to the ASTRID2 facility.
If you would like to discuss radiation safety for your visit, e.g. you are, or suspect you are pregnant, please contact the radiation safety co-ordinator.
Office Phone Heine Dølrath Thomsen 1525-332 2934 1910 Jørgen S. Nielsen 1525-330 2338 2340 Søren Vrønning Hoffmann 1525-324 2338 2344
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Last Modified 17 September 2025