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Tuning of LANSCE 805-MHz high-energy linear accelerator with reduced beam losses
Suppression of beam losses is essential for successful operation of high-intensity linac. Historically, the values of the field amplitudes and phases of the side-coupled, 805-MHz LANSCE linac modules are maintained using a well-known delta-t tuning procedure. Transverse matching of the beam with accelerator is performed through adjustments of beam ellipses in 4D phase space with accelerator lattice using matching quadrupoles. Control of the beam-energy ramp along the length of a proton linear accelerator is required to improve tune of accelerator and decrease beam losses. Time-of-flight measurements of the H - beam energy are now being used to confirm and improve the overall control of the energy ramp along the linac. The time-of-flight method utilizes absolute measurements of beam energy using direct signals from beam at an oscilloscope, as well as the difference in RF phases measured as the beam passes installed delta-t pickup loops. A newly developed BPPM data acquisition system is used. Beam energy measurement along accelerator together with phase scans, klystrons output power control, and delta-t method, allow tuning of accelerator much more close to original design and reduce losses generated by linac. Details of the upgraded tuning procedure and results of tuning and operation are presented here.
Studies of Beam Intensity Effects in Fermilab Booster Synchrotron. Part I: Introduction, Tune and Chromaticity Scans of Beam Losses
Detrimental beam dynamics effects limit performance of high intensity rapid cycling synchrotrons (RCS) such as the 8 GeV Fermilab Booster. Here we report the results of comprehensive studies of various beam intensity dependent effects in the Booster. Part I covers the dependencies of the Booster beam intensity losses on the total number of protons per pulse and on key operational parameters such as the machine tunes and chromaticities. In Part II we cross-check two methods of the beam emittance measurements (the multi-wires proportional chambers and the ionization profile monitors), analyze the intensity dependent emittance growth effects and discuss the ultimate performance of the machine now and after foreseen and proposed upgrades.
Beam Loss Studies for the 2-MW LBNE Proton Beam Line
Severe limits are required for allowable beam loss during extraction and transport of a 2.3 MW primary proton beam for the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) at Fermilab. Detailed simulations with the STRUCT and MARS codes have evaluated the impact of beam loss of 1.6e14 protons per pulse at 120 GeV, ranging from a single pulse full loss to sustained small fractional loss. It is shown that localized loss of a single beam pulse at 2.3 MW will result in a destructive event: beam pipe failu re, damaged magnets and high levels of residual radiation inside the tunnel. A sustained full beam loss would be catastrophic. Acceptable beam loss limits have been determined and robust solutions developed to enable efficient proton beam operation under these constraints.
Background gas density and beam losses in NIO1 beam source
NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization 1) is a versatile ion source designed to study the physics of production and acceleration of H- beams up to 60 keV. In ion sources, the gas is steadily injected in the plasma source to sustain the discharge, while high vacuum is maintained by a dedicated pumping system located in the vessel. In this paper, the three dimensional gas flow in NIO1 is studied in the molecular flow regime by the Avocado code. The analysis of the gas density profile along the accelerator considers the influence of effective gas temperature in the source, of the gas temperature accommodation by collisions at walls, and of the gas particle mass. The calculated source and vessel pressures are compared with experimental measurements in NIO1 during steady gas injection.
Beam Loss Studies for the 2-MW LBNE Proton Beam Line
Severe limits are put on allowable beam loss during extraction and transport of a 2.3 MW primary proton beam for the Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) at Fermilab. Detailed simulations with the STRUCT and MARS codes have evaluated the impact of beam loss of 1.6 x 10{sup 14} protons per pulse at 120 GeV, ranging from a single pulse full loss to sustained small fractional loss. It is shown that loss of a single beam pulse at 2.3 MW will result in a catastrophic event: beam pipe destruction, damaged magnets and very high levels of residual radiation inside and outside the tunnel. Acceptable beam loss limits have been determined and robust solutions developed to enable efficient proton beam operation under these constraints.
Beam Loss Assessment Through Use of Photomultiplier Tubes
Modern accelerators aim to deliver maximal beam current at stable energy with minimal beam loss. Environmental changes, among other factors, can result in increased beam loss and decreased beam throughput, prompting daily retuning of the accelerator. The compact nature of the oldest part of the linear accelerator limits the available beam instrumentation, making beam loss assessment and tuning difficult. Thus, additional devices for beam loss monitoring must be considered. Photomultiplier tube-based beam loss monitors (BLMs) were installed along the Fermilab drift tube Linac to assess beam loss. Due to noise, the data from the installed photomultiplier tubes was difficult to assess. After noise reduction and signal analysis, it was found that the signals produced by the photomultiplier tubes in response to beam loss were consistent for a given configuration and therefore a reasonable measure of beam loss. This project lays groundwork for future work in beam loss assessment using photomultiplier tubes, with the automation of the process developed in this project being the next step in this effort.
Beam loss mechanisms in the PIP-II linac and beam transfer line at Fermilab
Beam loss in high-intensity H- linacs, such as the PIP-II linac at Fermilab, is a critical challenge that requires comprehensive study and understanding to ensure efficient and safe operation. This study explores the various beam loss mechanisms encountered in the PIP-II linac and its beam transfer line, drawing parallels from other high-intensity H- linacs. Key loss mechanisms include residual gas stripping, where H- ions interact with residual gas molecules leading to electron detachment; field stripping, caused by the interaction of H- ions with magnetic fields; and intra-beam stripping, resulting from interactions within the beam itself. Beam halo formation, particularly due to Twiss function mismatch, is another significant source of beam loss, which can be exacerbated by Landau damping mechanisms. Adhering to the 1 W/m loss criterion is essential to maintain hands-on maintenance capability and ensure the longevity of the accelerator components. By understanding these mechanisms and implementing targeted mitigation strategies, the PIP-II linac can achieve its design goals while maintaining safe and efficient operations.
Beam loss modeling and mitigation due to intra-beam stripping
Intra-Beam Stripping (IBS) is a critical beam loss mechanism in high-intensity H- linacs and presents a significant limitation to increasing beam power. This work presents a computational framework to evaluate and mitigate IBS-induced beam loss along the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) LINAC. Our calculation is based on an analytic theory and involves evaluation of a 9D integral using the Monte-Carlo technique. We first benchmarked our calculations against simplified, analytically solvable cases. We then applied our algorithm to Gaussian bunches with a known probability density function (PDF). We next expanded our algorithm to arbitrary bunch distributions using the Neural Spline Flow (NSF) models trained on PyORBIT tracking data. In the future, we plan to validate our algorithm experimentally and apply it to design IBS mitigation strategies.
INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF BEAM LOSSES FROM THE SNS LINAC PROTON EXPERIMENT
Beam loss is a major concern for high power hadron accelerators such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). An unexpected beam loss in the SNS superconducting linac (SCL) was observed during the power ramp up and early operation. Intra-beam-stripping (IBS) loss, in which interactions between H- particles within the accelerated bunch strip the outermost electron, was recently identified as a possible cause of the beam loss. A set of experiments using proton beam acceleration in the SNS linac was conducted, which supports IBS as the primary beam loss mechanism in the SNS SCL.
Mitigation of Beam Losses in LANSCE Linear Accelerator
Suppression of beam losses is essential for successful operation of high-intensity accelerator facility. The LANSCE accelerator started routine operation in 1972 as a 0.8 MW average proton beam power facility for meson physics research, and delivered highpower beam for a quarter century. The accelerator currently delivers 100 MeV proton beam to Isotope Production Facility (IPF) and 800 MeV H- beams to various experimental areas. The accelerator is equipped with two independent injectors for H + and H - beams, merging at the entrance of a 201.25 MHz Drift Tube Linac (DTL). The DTL performs acceleration up to the energy of 100 MeV. After the DTL, the Transition Region beamline directs a 100 MeV proton beam to the Isotope Production Facility, while the H - beam is accelerated up to the final energy of 800 MeV in an 805- MHz Coupled Cavity Linac. The H - beams, created with different time structure by a lowenergy chopper, are distributed in the Switch Yard (SY) to four experimental areas: the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center equipped with a Proton Storage Ring (PSR), the Weapons Neutron Research facility (WNR), the Proton Radiography facility (pRad), and the Ultra-Cold Neutron facility (UCN). Multi-beam operation requires careful control of accelerator tune to minimize beam losses. In this paper we review main effects affecting beam losses in LANSCE linear accelerator and discuss methods to reduce them.
Particle Rate and Host Accelerator Beam Loss on the MICE Experiment
A study is presented of particle rates in the MICE Muon Beamline and their relationship to beam loss produced in ISIS. A brief overview of neutrino physics is presented, together with a discussion on the Neutrino Factory as a motivation for MICE. An overview of MICE itself is then presented, highlighting the need for a systematic understanding of the relationship between the MICE target parameters, ISIS beam loss, and MICE particle rate. The variation of beam loss with target depth is examined and observed to be non-linear. The variation of beam loss with respect to the target dip time in the ISIS cycle is examined and observed to be approximately linear for dip times between 11.1 ms and 12.6 ms after ISIS injection, before tailing at earlier dip times. The variation of beam loss with particle rate is also observed to follow an approximately linear relationship from 0.05 V.ms to 4.7 V.ms beam loss, with a further strong indication that this continues up to 7.1 V.ms. Particle identification using time-of-flight data is used to give an insight into the relative abundances of each particle species present in the MICE beam. Estimates of muon rate are then produced as a function of beam loss. At a level of 2 V.ms beam loss ~10.9 muons per spill for a 3.2 ms spill with negative π → μ optics, and ~31.1 muons per 1 ms spill with positive π → μ optics are observed. Simulations using the ORBIT particle tracking code of the beam loss distributions around the ISIS ring, caused by the MICE target, are also presented and the implications for MICE running discussed.
H- AND PROTON BEAM LOSS COMPARISON AT SNS SUPERCONDUCTING LINAC
A comparison of beam loss in the superconducting part (SCL) of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) linac for H- and protons is presented. During the experiment the nominal beam of negative hydrogen ions in the SCL was replaced by a proton beam created by insertion of a thin stripping carbon foil placed in the low energy section of the linac. The observed significant reduction in the beam loss for protons is explained by a domination of the intra beam stripping mechanism of the beam loss for H-. The details of the experiment are discussed, and a preliminary estimation of the cross section of the reaction H- + H- -> H- + H0 + e is presented. Earlier, a short description of these studies was presented in [1].
NSLS-II Beam Loss Control and Monitoring System
One of the most challenging issues for accelerator operations deals with why and where the beam was lost. This is a major concern for radiation protection at facilities with a large user base, since uncontrolled beam losses could result in high radiation levels to occupied areas. For NSLS-II the tunnel radiation shield wall has increased attenuation over two lattice cells after the injection region, to shield for the possibility of higher injection losses during injection. This raised the concern over exceeding the radiation exposure limits in the lesser shielded region, if similar losses could occur elsewhere. To address this issue a beam loss control system was designed to capture most beam losses in the more heavily shielded (injection) region. A beam loss monitor system was designed to verify the fraction of the beam lost in that region, in order to insure lower levels of exposure around the rest of the ring. The design of these beam loss control and monitoring systems and their operational experience are presented here.
An Online Beam Loss Monitor for NSLS-II Storage Ring
Reliable beam loss monitors are important tools for the safe operation of the accelerators. Beam loss monitors provide valuable information on the magnitude and location of the particle beam loss inside the accelerator enclosures. In the synchrotron radiation facilities, the electron accelerator enclosures experience a mixed radiation environment, consisting of low energy x-ray background along with bremsstrahlung and photoneutrons.
Machine Protection Studies of Fast Instability-Driven Beam Losses in the EIC Electron Storage Ring
Fast transverse beam instabilities represent one of the most challenging protection scenarios for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) electron storage ring (ESR). Coherent betatron oscillations driven by collective effects can grow rapidly and lead to substantial beam losses within only a few tens of turns, posing a threat to collimators, superconducting (SC) magnets, cryogenic systems, and detector components. A dedicated simulation framework based on distributed transverse excitations was developed to evaluate instability-driven beam losses in the ESR. A conservative instability rise time on the order of 10 turns was used to define a bounding protection scenario. Simulations show that the original two-collimator configuration is insufficient to localize losses under all operating conditions, whereas an optimized four-collimator configuration reduces loss leakage into protected regions by more than two orders of magnitude. Nevertheless, the most severe instability scenarios produce catastrophic beam impacts, with nearly half of the stored beam being intercepted by the collimators within a single turn, exceeding the preliminary estimated survivability limits of the baseline collimator design. The results demonstrate that collimation alone is insufficient to guarantee safe ESR operation and must be complemented by a fast machine-protection system. Dedicated turn-by-turn beam-position monitors and fast beam-loss monitors provide sufficient advance warning to detect instability growth and initiate a beam abort before equipment-damaging loss levels are reached. These findings establish quantitative requirements for the ESR machine-protection architecture and support the implementation of a multilayer protection strategy for both accelerator and detector systems.
Improved Beam Loss Accounting with Fast Data Acquisition (DAQ) Chassis
Identifying the source of beam loss events in the CE-BAF accelerator can be a challenging task. However, with our new prototype system, this task becomes more effi-cient. The system, developed in the fall of 2022, utilizes a dispersive beam position monitor (BPM) and the exist-ing switched electrode electronics BPM hardware. Previ-ously a commercial off-the-shelf data acquisition (DAQ) system was employed to capture BPM wire signals at a sample rate of 20 kS/s. The fast shutdown signal triggered the system, which disables the beam at the injector. Analysis of beam position and energy variation before a beam loss event was used to determine if the beam loss event was associated with an energy transient. The proto-type system, implemented using National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW® software, relied on a software trigger. Manual post-processing was required to ascertain whether the fault was due to an un-tripped cavity with a gradient or phase transient. This work focuses on deploying a Fast DAQ Chassis to monitor BPM hardware in real time and during beam loss events. This system was originally developed and in-stalled in CEBAF to monitor the time-domain RF control signals in the legacy analog RF systems. This technology was leveraged to also monitor BPM signals. As the new system employs a hardware trigger, developing tools to automatically identify faults linked to energy transients unrelated to cavity faults will be straightforward. This paper will discuss the project's initial updates, underlin-ing the crucial role of each member of our team in this achievement
Exploring Causes of Beam Loss at CEBAF
At Jefferson Lab, the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator (CEBAF) features a unique design with two linear accelerators and two arc sections allowing for multiple turns of the electron beam, as well as four experimental end stations. This topology leads to increased beam losses, especially in the spreader and recombiner regions connecting the arcs to the linacs and in the extraction regions connecting the experimental end stations to the accelerator. These losses result in equipment activation and operational interruptions. Recent upgrades to the facility’s diagnostic systems, including the addition of xenon ion chambers, have provided higher-resolution data regarding these loss events. Building on this improved observational capability, we are developing a simulation framework using optics codes and the Geant4-based BDSIM to model beam extinction and halo formation in these regions. This work aims to correlate simulation results with experimental data to isolate the causes of beam loss and inform future machine tuning strategies. We present a summary of conclusions drawn from recent operational studies and outline a plan to model the beam loss and validate the simulations.