Accelerator-Based Applications Infrastructure
IABA
The Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS) IABA is a distributed facility that brings together two unique centers in Spain: the National Accelerator Center (CNA) in Seville and the Center for Microanalysis of Materials (CMAM) in Madrid.
We offer particle accelerator-based technologies for multidisciplinary research.
Strategic Objectives
- Provide open access to unique facilities for the scientific and industrial community.
- Promote research in priority fields: materials, energy, environment, health, nuclear physics and heritage.
- Foster international collaboration and researcher training (internships, Master’s/Bachelor’s thesis, doctoral thesis, etc.).
Our centers: Two nodes
National Accelerator Center (CNA)
Multidisciplinary infrastructure with six major facilities, with applications in health, environment, heritage, etc. which is located in:
Sevilla
- 3 MV tandem Pelletron: IBA techniques (RBS, ERDA, NRA, PIXE, PIGE), advanced techniques (IL, IBIC, TRIBIC), Nuclear Microprobe, Ion Channelling, Ion Implantation, Irradiation, Neutrons, etc.
- Ciclotron 18/9 MeV: Production of radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging and external line for experimentation.
- PET/CT: Scanners for animals and humans.
- AMS 1 MV Tandetron (SARA): Detection of long-lived radionuclides: 10Be, 14C, 26Al, 41Ca, 129I, 236U, 237Np, 239Pu, 240Pu, etc.
- MiCaDaS: 14C dating.
- 60Co Gamma Irradiator: Radiation test on materials (aerospace, biologicals, etc.).
Center for Micro-Analysis of Materials (CMAM)
Unique facility based on a 5 MV Tandem accelerator with unique capabilities in Spain and Europe which is located in:
Madrid
- Techniques: RBS, ERDA, ERDA-TOF, PIXE, PIGE, NRA, STIM and Channeling
- Ion + Femtosecond Laser combination: Advanced materials modification (unique in Europe).
- Optical techniques for in-situ measurements
- Applications: Energy, materials, microelectronics, biomedicine, heritage and nuclear physics.
Access to Facilities
Competitive Access
Access based on proposal excellence. Evaluation by external experts.
* For security reasons, Beamtime Portal is temporarily accessible only through the UAM VPN
On-Demand Access
Modality for companies and frequent users through specific agreements.
Competitive Access Call
Competitive access to ICTS IABA facilities is based on the scientific excellence of proposals, which are rigorously evaluated by an external and independent Access Committee.
Proposals are submitted before the deadline and reviewed by the committee, which assigns beam time based on scientific quality and technical feasibility.
Competitive Access Protocol (Step by Step)
Two-step Evaluation
- Technical: IABA staff evaluate feasibility. If not feasible, the user is contacted to modify the proposal.
- Scientific: Viable proposals are evaluated by the access committee (external experts) to determine excellence.
Approval and Scheduling
- Decision on acceptance is published on the IABA portal for beamtime request and on this website.
- Following a positive committee evaluation, IABA staff contact the user to set the experiment dates.
- The user is notified by email about any status changes regarding their proposal.
Beamtime Resolutions, Periods and Deadlines
| PERIOD | USAGE DATES | APPLICATION DEADLINE |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Jan. 08 - Mar. 13 | Nov. 24, 2025 |
| 02 | Mar. 16 - May 22 | Jan. 26, 2026 |
| 03 | May 25 - Jul. 24 | Mar. 23, 2026 |
| 04 | Jul. 27 - Oct. 23 | May. 25, 2026 |
| 05 | Oct. 26 - Dic. 22 | Sep. 25, 2026 |
Deadlines and usage periods are subject to possible modifications. Please check official platforms for the latest information.
THE NEXT USER PROPOSAL DEADLINE IS:
23 Nov 2026
Evaluation and Access Committee
Competitive access to ICTS IABA facilities is managed through public calls and rigorous evaluation by external scientific committees, ensuring excellence and project impact.
Data Management Plan (DMP)
IABA ICTS is committed to the principles of Open Science and promotes the responsible management of the data generated under the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)