LHC Superconductor Cable

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Authentic Piece of the World's Most Ambitious Scientific Project Own a rare and extraordinary piece of scientific history — an actual section of superconducting cable used in the L arge Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest and most complex machine ever built. Sourced directly from CERN and used during the original operation phase of the LHC, this artifact represents the cutting edge of human achievement in physics and engineering. A Genuine Particle Physics Relic This is not a replica. This is a genuine segment of superconducting cable from the LHC's magnet system — the lifeblood of the collider's high-energy particle beams. In over a decade of science artifact collecting, we've never before encountered a component of the LHC made available to private collectors. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A Certificate of Authenticity is included. Perfect for science museums, physics departments, private collectors, or anyone who truly has everything. About the Cable This cable was part of the original LHC infrastructure, used for approximately five years before being replaced during the Long Shutdown 1 (2013–2015). The LHC’s magnets must operate at cryogenic temperatures near absolute zero (−271.3°C or 1.9 K) to become superconductive. These niobium-titanium cables were engineered to carry extremely high currents with zero electrical resistance, enabling the magnetic fields required to steer protons at nearly the speed of light. Technical Highlights: Composed of 36 twisted strands, roll-formed into a keystone-shaped cross section (15.1 mm wide, 1.48 mm average thickness) Each strand contains 6,426 filaments of niobium-titanium (NbTi) superconducting alloy Filaments are 6 micrometers in diameter — 10× thinner than a human hair Each filament is embedded in a high-purity oxygen-free copper matrix for stability and current sharing A 0.0005 mm copper layer surrounds each filament for additional conductivity and protection The total filament length in the LHC's cables adds up to more than 150 million kilometers — enough to stretch five times to the Sun and back, with some left over to visit the Moon. This artifact comes encased in a museum-grade, handcrafted oak display box, built to both protect and showcase the artifact. The box features: Solid oak construction Padded interior for secure storage Glass viewing lid Dual locking mechanism for added protection About the Large Hadron Collider The Large Hadron Collider is the most powerful particle accelerator ever constructed. It was designed and built by CERN, with global collaboration involving over 10,000 scientists from more than 100 countries. The collider’s 27 km (17 mi) ring lies beneath the France–Switzerland border, where it accelerates protons to near light-speed and collides them to study the fundamental nature of matter and the universe. The LHC has contributed to monumental discoveries, most famously the Higgs boson in 2012, confirming decades of theoretical physics. Further Reading & Documentation: CERN: Superconductivity LHC Cable Details LHC Project Report 694 (PDF) LHC Closer Look: Superconducting Cables (All images, technical diagrams, and reference content © CERN) Show more