India-made beam catcher for the FAIR mega science project reaches Germany
The first of three India-built beam catcher units for the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Darmstadt, Germany, has reached the site, the Science Ministry said on 7 August 2026.
Summary
The first of three beam catcher units built in India has reached the site of the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), a multipurpose particle accelerator facility under construction in Darmstadt, Germany, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on 7 August 2026. The beam catchers are key parts of the super fragment separator (Super-FRS) and absorb the remnants of primary heavy-ion beams. The equipment was designed by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, under the supervision of Bose Institute, Kolkata, the nodal Indian institution and India's shareholder in FAIR GmbH. India became a founding member of FAIR by signing a convention on 4 October 2010 in Wiesbaden, and its contribution is funded 50:50 by DST and DAE.
Key facts
- Project
- Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), Darmstadt, Germany
- Equipment
- Beam catcher, part of Super-FRS (1st of 3 units)
- Designed by
- CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur
- Nodal institution
- Bose Institute, Kolkata
- India joined
- Founding member, convention signed 4 Oct 2010, Wiesbaden
- Funding
- DST and DAE, 50:50
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where is the international mega science project FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) being built?
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Correct answer: B — Darmstadt, Germany
FAIR is a multipurpose particle accelerator facility being built at Darmstadt, Germany.
Which Indian institute designed the beam catcher equipment for FAIR's super fragment separator, delivered in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur
The beam catcher was designed by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, under Bose Institute's supervision.
Consider the following statements about India's participation in FAIR: 1. India's contribution is funded jointly in a 50:50 ratio by the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Atomic Energy. 2. Bose Institute, Kolkata, is India's shareholder in FAIR GmbH. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. DST and DAE fund India's contribution 50:50, and Bose Institute is the Indian shareholder and nodal institution.