Successful testing ensures reliable high-intensity proton beams for groundbreaking neutrino research.

Nelson, BC, November 3, 2025 — D-Pace Inc. is proud to announce the successful Beam Acceptance Testing of its TRIUMF-licensed H⁻ Volume Cusp Ion Source for Fermilab’s Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II), a major upgrade to the U.S. Department of Energy’s flagship accelerator complex.  During a recent visit to D-Pace’s facility, hosted by lead physicist Dr. Anand George and Director of Operations Mr. Thomas Stewart, Fermilab’s Proton Source Department Head Dr. Lionel Prost and engineering physicist Evan Alire oversaw rigorous testing of the ion source that will power the next generation of high-intensity proton beams.

Outstanding Performance and Reliability 
The D-Pace ion source demonstrated strong performance, operational stability, straightforward handling, and low maintenance requirements during testing. Fermilab concluded that the D-Pace H^- Volume Cusp Ion Source fulfilled all their requirements.  Specifications met or exceeded include:

• Beam Current: Extracted 15 mA DC at 30 keV kinetic energy
• Beam Quality: Transverse emittance <0.2 mm·mrad (1 rms, normalized)
• Beam Current Stability: Better than 1%

D-Pace’s ion source met or exceeded all Fermilab’s stringent requirements, and its performance and reliability will be essential for the success of PIP-II and the future of neutrino science.

Supporting PIP-II’s Mission 
The Proton Improvement Plan II, or PIP-II, is an essential enhancement to the Fermilab accelerator complex, powering the world’s most intense high-energy neutrino beam on its journey from Illinois to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) in South Dakota – a distance of 1,300 kilometers (800 miles). Scientists at the DUNE project will study neutrinos to unravel some of the most profound questions about our universe. Over the next five decades, the PIP-II experiment will catalyze groundbreaking discoveries that delve into the fundamental nature of the cosmos.

A Partnership Built on Innovation

Fermilab first adopted D-Pace’s H⁻ Volume Cusp Ion Source in 2011 for Project X. Initial testing was conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory before the source was installed at Fermilab in 2013 Using the Ion source purchased in 2011, Fermilab conducted several operational campaigns to ascertain the reliability of the source. They found that the filament lifespans ranged from 391 hours to 840 hours before failure. This exceeds Fermilab's 350-hour filament lifetime requirement. The second ion source purchase supports PIP-II’s long-term operations. D-Pace CEO Richard McElroy added, “We are honored to contribute to Fermilab’s mission and proud that our technology plays a role in advancing global scientific frontiers.”

The second cryomodule, SSR1, during installation at PIP2IT. Courtesy of Fermilab (https://pip2.fnal.gov/how-it-works/pip2it/)

About D-Pace

Based in Nelson, British Columbia, D-Pace is a global leader in the development and commercialization of particle accelerator components and systems, specializing in ion sources.   The company’s mission is to advance world-class accelerator technologies, empowering their customers and partners to create solutions that improve lives, shape a healthier future and explore secrets of the universe.

About Fermilab

As the premier particle physics laboratory in the United States, the institution fosters global collaboration to unravel the mysteries of matter, energy, space, and time. Located in Batavia, Illinois, its mission is to drive scientific discovery by constructing and operating world-leading accelerator and detector facilities. The institution also conducts pioneering research with national and global partners and develops innovative technologies that enhance U.S. industrial competitiveness.