GoKawiilSetting Up a Physics and Electronics R&D Lab
A practitioner's guide based on experience setting up and operating sensor development and characterisation labs at CERN, LBNL, DESY, and the University of Bergen. Author: Magne Lauritzen Contact: [email protected]
The majority of this guide applies to any lab doing experimental physics, electronics development, or instrumentation work. Sensor-specific sections are clearly marked.
The guide covers equipment, infrastructure, and services. It does not cover lab procedures such as safety training, procurement workflows, or inventory management. Those deserve their own treatment.
On brand recommendations: Specific brands and models are cited throughout based on direct experience. These are genuine recommendations, not sponsorships. Alternatives exist in most categories. When in doubt, search for comparisons on EEVblog forums or Reddit r/ECE. Prices and availability change; verify before purchasing.
On links: Links were correct at time of writing. If one is broken, a web search for the product or term will find it quickly.
This is a significant capital project
A proper R&D lab cannot be accommodated in a standard office environment. It requires purpose-built or significantly adapted space with dedicated electrical, gas/vacuum, ventilation, and network infrastructure. Identifying and securing suitable space is a prerequisite! Do not buy equipment before you have a space.
The facility is structured as three distinct areas:
Main lab space : Experimental workstations, measurement instruments, environmental test infrastructure, and services
... continue reading