Large Hadron Collider Concept Model Using NeoPixel Lights
A scale concept model of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) built using 567 NeoPixel LEDs and an Arduino, simulating the full journey of a proton beam — from injection through each accelerator stage all the way to collision.
Built for Nava Project Expo at MACE, the model visually recreates the actual LHC beam path using addressable RGB LEDs arranged in the same topology as the real accelerator complex at CERN.
How It Works
The 567 NeoPixels are arranged to mirror the real LHC accelerator chain. Each section animates in sequence, with the LED “particle” speeding up as it passes through each stage — just like a real proton beam gaining energy:
- Booster (LEDs 0–82) — Initial injection stage. Beam enters slow, starts accelerating.
- Proton Synchrotron / Synchronizer (LEDs 83–132) — Three passes at increasing speed simulate synchrotron acceleration.
- Transit section (LEDs 146–166) — Transfer line between stages.
- Super Proton Synchrotron / Super Synchronizer (LEDs 167–211) — Four high-speed passes before injection into the main ring.
- Bifurcation transit — Two parallel LED paths simulate the two counter-rotating beams entering the LHC ring from opposite sides.
- LHC Collider ring (LEDs 290–472) — Two beams travel in opposite directions simultaneously, spiraling toward each other.
- Collision — Beams meet at the center point; a blue flash marks the collision. All 567 LEDs then cycle through colors (green → blue → purple → red) in a celebration burst.
The full cycle runs on loop with a delay between runs, with synchronized audio effects including a collision sound.
Technical Details
- LEDs: 567 NeoPixel (WS2812B) addressable RGB LEDs
- Microcontroller: Arduino (digital pin 7)
- Library: Adafruit NeoPixel
- Audio: Custom collision and background sounds (AAC/MP3)
- Sections modelled: Booster → PS → SPS → LHC ring (mirrors actual CERN topology)
Source Code
Full Arduino sketches available on GitHub: