University of Sarajevo Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Physics Students at CERN

As part of a new cooperation agreement between the University of Sarajevo and CERN regarding the Sarajevo Ion Accelerator (SARAI) project, two female students and one male student from the Master's program at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo – Emina Huko, Naida Ustavdić, and Danis Bradarić – began working on their projects in January 2026. They were subsequently invited back to CERN, where they continued their research in April and May in collaboration with Dr. Amer Ajanović.

Under the mentorship of Prof. Senad Odžak (UNSA) and Dr. Ajanović (CERN), Emina Huko worked on the electromagnetic modeling of the plasma chamber and extraction system of the ion source, as well as on optimizing the dynamics of the alpha particle beam through these components. Naida Ustavdić, mentored by Prof. Azra Gazibegović-Busuladžić (UNSA) and Dr. Ajanović (CERN), designed two types of low-energy lines for transporting ions from the source to two accelerators: one serving as a carbon ion injector for hadron therapy and the other for SARAI, which accelerates alpha particles. Danis Bradarić, working with Dr. Ajanović, analyzed the dynamics of the alpha particle beam through SARAI and, based on the parameters of the modeled beam, simulated the expected Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry on a target.

Danis, Naida, and Emina also worked together with Francesco di Lorenzo, the lead technician on the project, and Dr. Ajanović on improving the SARAI ion source test stand and on the experimental conditioning of electrodes in preparation for ion extraction. Through their high-quality results, they made a significant contribution to the project and set a good example for future generations. They are now continuing to build their careers, about which you will be able to read soon.