Philip Burrows

Abstract:

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a proposed electron-positron collider targeting collision energies from 250 GeV to 1 TeV. With design luminosities of order 10³⁴ cm²s^⁻1 a beam-based, intra-train feedback system would be required near the Interaction Point (IP) to provide nanometre-level stabilisation of the beam overlap in the collisions. Here we present results from beam-tracking simulations of the 500 GeV ILC, including the impact of beam-trajectory imperfections on the luminosity, and the capability of the IP feedback system to compensate for them. Effects investigated include the position jitter introduced by the damping ring extraction kicker, short-range and long-range wakefields, and ground motion. The feedback system was shown to be able to correct for beam-beam offsets of up to 200 nm and stabilise the collision overlap to the nanometre level, within a few bunch crossings.

Abstract:

The CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) has been operating as a general user facility since 2017 providing beams for a wide range of user experiments. However, with its current optical layout, the beams available to users are not able to cover every request. To overcome this, a second experimental beamline has been proposed. In this paper we discuss the potential optics of the new line as well as detailing the hardware required for its construction. Branching from the current beamline, via a dogleg chicane that could be used for bunch compression, the new beamline would provide an additional in-air test stand to be available to users. The beamline before the test stand would utilise large aperture quadrupoles to allow the irradiation of large target areas or strong focussing of beams onto a target. In addition to this there would also be further in-vacuum space to install experiments.

Abstract:

VHEE (Very High Energy Electron) therapy can be superior to conventional radiotherapy for the treatment of deep seated tumours, whilst not necessarily requiring the space and cost of proton or heavy ion facilities. Developments in high gradient RF technology have allowed electrons to be accelerated to VHEE energies in a compact space, meaning that treatment could be possible with a shorter linac. A crucial component of VHEE treatment is the transfer of the beam from accelerator to patient. This is required to magnify the beam to cover the transverse extent of the tumour, whilst ensuring a uniform beam distribution. Two principle methodologies for the design of a compact transfer line are presented. The first of these is based upon a quadrupole lattice and optical magnification of beam size. A minimisation algorithm is used to enforce certain criteria on the beam distribution at the patient, defining the lattice through an automated routine. Separately, a dual scattering-foil based system is also presented, which uses similar algorithms for the optimisation of the foil geometry in order to achieve the desired beam shape at the patient location.

Abstract:

Conventional slow extraction driven by a tune sweep perturbs the optics and changes the presentation of the beam separatrix to the extraction septum during the spill. The constant optics slow extraction (COSE) technique, recently developed and deployed operationally at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron to reduce beam loss on the extraction septum, was implemented at MedAustron to facilitate extraction with a tune sweep of operational beam quality. COSE fixes the optics of the extracted beam by scaling all machine settings with the beam rigidity following the extracted beam’s momentum. In this contribution the implementation of the COSE extraction technique is described before it is compared to the conventional tune sweep and operational betatron core driven cases using both simulations and recent measurements.

Abstract:

The Advanced Proton Driven Plasma Wakefield Experiment (AWAKE) at CERN uses 6 cm long proton bunches extracted from the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) at 400 GeV beam energy to drive high gradient plasma wakefields for the acceleration of electron bunches to 2 GeV within a 10 m length. Knowledge and control of the position of both copropagating beams is crucial for the operation of the experiment. Whilst the current electron beam position monitoring system at AWAKE can be used in the absence of the proton beam, the proton bunch signal dominates when both particle bunches are present simultaneously. A new technique based on the generation of Cherenkov diffraction radiation (ChDR) in a dielectric material placed in close proximity to the particle beam has been designed to exploit the large bunch length difference of the particle beams at AWAKE, 200 ps for protons versus a few ps for electrons, such that the electron signal dominates. Hence, this technique would allow for the position measurement of a short electron bunch in the presence of a more intense but longer proton bunch. The design considerations, numerical analysis and plans for tests at the CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) facility are presented.