Philip Burrows

Abstract:

Wt present the design of prototype fast beam position monitor (BPM) signal processors for use in inter-bunch beam-based feedbacks for linear colliders and electron linacs. We describe the FONT4 intra-train beam-based digital position feedback system prototype deployed at the Accelerator test facility (ATF) extraction line at KEK, Japan. The system incorporates a fast analogue beam position monitor front-end signal processor, a digital feedback board, and a fast kicker-driver amplifier. The total feedback system latency is less than 150ns, of which less than 10ns is used for the BPM processor. We report preliminary results of beam tests using electron bunches separated by c. 150ns. Position resolution of order 1 micron obtained. © 2008 IEEE.

Abstract:

The design luminosity for the future linear colliders is very demanding and challenging. Beam-based feedback systems will be required to achieve the necessary beam-beam stability and steer the two beams into collision. In particular we have studied the luminosity performance improvement by intra-train beam-based feedback systems for position and angle corrections at the interaction point. We have set up a simulation model which introduces different machine imperfections and can be applied to both the International Linear Collider (ILC) and the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC).

Abstract:

Particle physics is on the threshold of major discoveries which will shed light on the origin of mass, dark matter, and possible extra spatial dimensions in nature. Future particle accelerators will recreate matter conditions not seen since the first few billionths of a second after the Big Bang. The engineering challenges are immense. 30km-long straight tunnels must be drilled to house the accelerator, and components must be aligned and stabilised to microns over distances of kilometers. High-power superconducting niobium radio-frequency cavities will drive electron and positron beams to velocities approaching the speed of light. The beams must be made a few nanometers in size, and collided head-on after traversing tens of kilometers. Feedback and control systems must keep the beams in collision on nanosecond timescales. The paper will review these extreme engineering challenges and report on the advanced R&D being done in the UK and elsewhere to get us to our physics goals. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.