The first IHEP cryostat prototype of the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (EXFEL) Facility, PXFEL1, was successfully assembled and tested at DESY from April to July.

　　China is one of the 13 international partner countries participating in the construction and operation of the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (EXFEL) together with Germany. With the finacial support of “973” Project (the national development project on key basic research), IHEP joined in the R & D of cryostat prototype (cooling element). After the prototype passed the test, the module components will be mass-produced.

　　The prototype is 12.2 meters long, weighs 7.8 tons and comprises several components. After careful studies, the technicians and researchers from the Cryogenic Group,　re-drew the original design drafts which were turned into more specified technical drafts. The prototype was completed and studies and experiments on POSTS conducted, which are the key supporting and heat-conducting components of PXFEL1.

　　The prototype PXFEL1 was assembled at DESY from April to June 2009, with the participation of the CEA Saclay where series production is to take place. Then it was directly installed into DESY’s cryomodule test bench (CMTB) and cooled down to -271°C. The observed shrinkage and movements of the whole structure were all within the allowed tolerances.