Dependence of the Static and Dynamic Field Quality of the LHC Superconducting Dipole Magnets on the Pre-Cycle Ramp Rate

The allowed multipoles in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) superconducting dipole magnets decay whilst on a constant current plateau. It is known that the decay amplitude is largely affected by the powering history of the magnet, and particularly by the pre-cycle flat top current and duration and the pre-injection preparation duration. Recently, it was observed that the decay amplitude is also highly dependent on the pre-cycle ramp rate, which has an indirect effect also on the sample of data taken at constant field along the magnet loadlines. This is an important consideration to be included in the Field Description for the LHC (FiDeL), to cope with the difference between the test procedure followed for series tests and the expected cycles during the machine operation. This paper presents the results of the measurements performed to investigate this phenomenon and describes the method included in FiDeL to represent this dependence

Focusing Strength Measurements of the Main Quadrupoles for the LHC

More than 1100 quadrupole magnets of different types are needed for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) which is in the construction stage at CERN. The most challenging parameter to measure on these quadrupoles is the integrated gradient (Gdl). An absolute accuracy of 0.1% is needed to control the beta beating. In this paper we briefly describe the whole set of equipment used for Gdl measurements: Automated Scanner system, Single Stretched Wire system and Twin Coils system, concentrating mostly on their absolute accuracies. Most of the possible inherent effects that can introduce systematic errors are discussed along with their preventive methods. In the frame of this qualification some of the magnets were tested with two systems. The results of the intersystem cross-calibrations are presented. In addition, the qualification of the measurement system used at the magnet manufacturer's is based on results of more than 40 quadrupole assemblies tested in cold conditions at CERN and in warm conditions at the vendor site

New Exclusion Limits for the Search of Scalar and Pseudoscalar Axion-Like Particles from "Light Shining Through a Wall"

Physics beyond the Standard Model predicts the possible existence of new particles that can be searched at the low energy frontier in the sub-eV range. The OSQAR photon regeneration experiment looks for "Light Shining through a Wall" from the quantum oscillation of optical photons into "Weakly Interacting Sub-eV Particles", such as axion or Axion-Like Particles (ALPs), in a 9 T transverse magnetic field over the unprecedented length of $2 \times 14.3$ m. In 2014, this experiment has been run with an outstanding sensitivity, using an 18.5 W continuous wave laser emitting in the green at the single wavelength of 532 nm. No regenerated photons have been detected after the wall, pushing the limits for the existence of axions and ALPs down to an unprecedented level for such a type of laboratory experiment. The di-photon couplings of possible pseudo-scalar and scalar ALPs can be constrained in the nearly massless limit to be less than $3.5\cdot 10^{-8}$ GeV$^{-1}$ and $3.2\cdot 10^{-8}$ GeV$^{-1}$, respectively, at 95% Confidence Level.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Main Field Tracking Measurement in the LHC Superconducting Dipole and Quadrupole Magnets

One of the most stringent requirements during the energy ramp of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is to have a constant ratio between dipole-quadrupole and dipole-dipole field so as to control the variation of the betatron tune and of the beam orbit throughout the acceleration phase, hence avoiding particle loss. To achieve the nominal performance of the LHC, a maximum variation of ±0.003 tune units can be tolerated. For the commissioning with low intensity beams, acceptable bounds are up to 30 times higher. For the quadrupole-dipole integrated field ratio, the above requirements translate in the tight windows of 6 ppm and 180 ppm, while for dipole differences between sectors the acceptable error is of the order of 10^-4. Measurement and control at this level are challenging. For this reason we have launched a dedicated measurement R&D to demonstrate that these ratios can be measured and controlled within the limits for machine operation. In this paper we present the techniques developed to power the magnets during the current ramps, the instrumentation and data acquisition setup used to perform the tracking experiments, the calibration procedure and the data reduction employed

A Demonstration Experiment for the Forecast of Magnetic Field and Field Errors in the Large Hadron Collider

In order to reduce the burden on the beam-based feedback, the Large Hadron Collider control system is equipped with the Field Description for the LHC (FiDeL) which provides a forecast of the magnetic field and the multipole field errors. FiDeL has recently been extensively tested at CERN to determine main field tracking, multipole forecasting and compensation accuracy. This paper describes the rationale behind the tests, the procedures employed to power the main magnets and their correctors, and finally, we present the results obtained. We also give an indication of the prediction accuracy that the system can deliver during the operation of the LHC and we discuss the implications that these will have on the machine performance

Twin Rotating Coils for Cold Magnetic Measurements of 15 m Long LHC Dipoles

We describe here a new harmonic coil system for the field measurement of the superconducting, twin aperture LHC dipoles and the associated corrector magnets. Besides field measurements the system can be used as an antenna to localize the quench origin. The main component is a 16 m long rotating shaft, made up of 13 ceramic segments, each carrying two tangential coils plus a central radial coil, all working in parallel. The segments are connected with flexible Ti-alloy bellows, allowing the piecewise straight shaft to follow the curvature of the dipole while maintaining high torsional rigidity. At each interconnection the structure is supported by rollers and ball bearings, necessary for the axial movement for installation and for the rotation of the coil during measurement. Two such shafts are simultaneously driven by a twin-rotating unit, thus measuring both apertures of a dipole at the same time. This arrangement allows very short measurement times (typically 10 s) and is essential to perform cold magnetic measurements of all dipoles. The coil surface and direction are calibrated using a reference dipole. In this paper we describe the twin rotating coil system and its calibration facility, and we give the typical resolution and accuracy achieved with the first commissioned unit

Search for weakly interacting sub-eV particles with the OSQAR laser-based experiment: results and perspectives

Recent theoretical and experimental studies highlight the possibility of new fundamental particle physics beyond the Standard Model that can be probed by sub-eV energy experiments. The OSQAR photon regeneration experiment looks for "Light Shining through a Wall" (LSW) from the quantum oscillation of optical photons into "Weakly Interacting Sub-eV Particles" (WISPs), like axion or axion-like particles (ALPs), in a 9 T transverse magnetic field over the unprecedented length of $2 \times 14.3$ m. No excess of events has been detected over the background. The di-photon couplings of possible new light scalar and pseudo-scalar particles can be constrained in the massless limit to be less than $8.0\times10^{-8}$ GeV$^{-1}$. These results are very close to the most stringent laboratory constraints obtained for the coupling of ALPs to two photons. Plans for further improving the sensitivity of the OSQAR experiment are presented.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

A Demonstration Experiment for the Main Field Tracking and the Sextupole and Decapole Compensation in the LHC Main Magnets

A dedicated measurement campaign was set up to test the FiDeL concept and its LSA implementation. The test was performed by demonstrating the tracking of B1 and B2 for two LHC main dipoles and one LHC main quadrupole. It also included the compensation of the b3 and b5 harmonics in the dipole magnets using the sextupole and decapole corrector magnets. In this report we present the techniques developed to power the magnets for these tests during the current ramps; the instrumentation and data acquisition setup used to perform the tracking experiments; the calibration procedure and data corrections employed; and finally the main results obtained

Warm and Cold Magnetic and Mechanical Alignment Tests of LHC Short Straight Sections

This paper contains a summary of the results of the magnetic and mechanical alignment tests performed at CERN on the first 111 arc Short Straight Sections. These include the mechanical axis of the Cold Bore Tube at room temperature, the magnetic axis of main quadrupoles and correctors at both room and cryogenic temperature, and the field direction of the main quadrupoles. The measurements show that the quality of the assemblies is generally within the requirements for the machine

The alimentary impact of the hemp seed

Hemp seed and hemp seed oil can supply us with many important substances. Their essential fatty acid compositions are favourable, but they may contain non-psychotropic cannabinoids. Emerging data show that these components can influence the health status of the population beneficially. Some data also showed trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol in seed oils, the main psychotropic cannabinoid that is contraindicated.Our aim was to examine cannabinoids and fatty acid composition as well as metal and non-metal element compositions in products, like hemp seed oil and chopped hemp seed capsule.The cannabinoids were separated by thin layer chromatography. Fatty acid composition was determined with gas chromatography, and elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Si, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn) were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric method. Selenium was determined with polarographic analyser.Cannabinoids were not detectable by thin layer chromatography, so hemp seed oil, as well as the capsule, have no psychotropic adverse effect. Our data showed that hemp seed contains essential fatty acids close to the recommended ratio. The B and Se concentrations of the oils and the P concentration of the capsule are also relevant