Alternative Options for the LINAC4 Transfer Line

LINAC4 [1] is a 62mA, 160 MeV H- linac under study at CERN. LINAC4 should replace LINAC2, a 50 MeV proton linac, as injector to the PS booster. LINAC4 reference layout [2] foresees a transfer line, 193m long [3], which pass through the PS tunnel to join the present LT line at BHZ30. As an alternative layout we looked at the possibility of placing LINAC4 in place of LINAC2 and reusing the existing transfer lines. In addition we studied another line with new optics. The results of these investigations are reported in this paper

On the Choice of Linac Parameters for Minimal Beam Losses

TUPWA034In high intensity linear accelerators, the tune spreads induced by the space-charge forces in the radial and longitudinal planes are key parameters for halo formation and beam losses. For matched beams they are the parameters governing the number of resonances (including coupling resonances) which affect the beam and determine the respective sizes of the stable and halo areas in phase space. The number and strength of the resonances excited in mismatched beams leading to even higher amplitude halos are also directly linked to the tune spreads. In this paper, the equations making the link between the basic linac parameters (rf frequency, zero-current phase advances, beam intensity and emittances) and the tune spreads are given. A first analysis of the way these linac parameters can be chosen to minimize the tune spreads is presented. The parameters of ESS linac are used for this study

The 4 GeV H- Beam Transfer Line from the SPL to the PS2

The proposed new CERN injector chain LINAC4, SPL, PS2 will require the construction of new beam transfer lines. A preliminary design has been performed for the 4 GeV SPL to PS2 H- transfer line. The constraints, beam parameters and geometry requirements are summarised and a possible layout proposed, together with the magnet specifications. First considerations on longitudinal beam dynamics and on beam loss limitations from H- lifetime are presented

Updated layout of the LINAC4 transfer line to the PS Booster (Green Field Option)

At the time of defining the site of Linac4 and its integration in the complex of existing infrastructure at CERN (together with the plans for a future Superconducting Proton Linac), a series of radiation protection issues emerged that have since prompted a revision of the Linac4 to PSB transfer line layout, as was described in the document ABâNoteâ2007â037. For radiological safety reasons the distance between the planned SPL tunnel and the basement of building 513 had to be increased, and this led to the decision to lower the Linac4 machine by 2.5m. A vertical ramp was consequently introduced in the transfer line to raise the beam at the same level of LINAC2/PSB for connection to the existing transfer line. A series of error study runs has been carried out on the modified layout to have an estimate of the losses induced by quadrupole alignment and field errors. The two worst cases of each error family have been used as case studies to test the efficiency of possible steering strategies in minimizing beam losses and machine activation. The new layout and beam dynamics issues plus the results of the error and steering studies are discussed in this note

Linac4 Beam Characterization before Injection into the CERN PS Booster

Construction work for the new CERN linear accelerator, Linac4, started in October 2008. Linac4 will replace the existing Linac2 and provide an H− beam at 160 MeV (as opposed to the present 50 MeV proton beam) for injection into the CERN PS Booster (PSB). The charge-exchange H− injection combined with the higher beam energy will allow for an increase in beam brightness required for reaching the ultimate LHC luminosity. Commissioning of Linac4 and of the transfer line to the PSB is planned for the last quarter of 2012. Appropriate beam instrumentation is foreseen to provide transverse and longitudinal beam characterization at the exit of Linac4 and in two dedicated measurement lines located before injection into the PSB. A detailed description of the diagnostics set, especially of spectrometer and emittance meter, and the upgrade of the measurement lines for Linac4 commissioning and operation is presented

Loss Control and Steering Strategy for the CERN LINAC4

A series of runs with the aim of defining alignment and gradient tolerances for the quadrupoles have been performed on the LINAC4 reference layout. The results, the implication on the machine layout and the correction schemes are reported in this paper

Choice of Frequency, Gradient and Temperature for a Superconducting Proton Linac

The construction of a Superconducting Proton Linac is planned at CERN during the next decade. It is foreseen to be constructed in two stages: a low duty cycle, low-power linac (LPSPL) as an injector for a new 50 GeV synchrotron (PS2) replacing the present PS, which could be upgraded to a high-duty cycle, high-power linac (HPSPL), for the needs of future facility(ies) requiring a multi-MW beam power. In this paper we present the criteria which were used to choose the frequency, gradient, and cryogenic temperature of the SPL. Since these questions are common to other proposed high-power proton linacs, they may also be of use for other projects with similar specifications. The various design options are discussed as well as their impact on beam dynamics, cavity performance, power consumption, cryogenics,and overall efficiency

Assessment of the basic parameters of the CERN Superconducting Proton Linac

The construction of a 4GeV Superconducting Proton Linac (the SPL) is now part of the Long Term Plan of CERN, and the construction of Linac4, its low-energy front end, has begun. For mid-2011 the existing conceptual design of the SPL has to be refined and transformed into a project proposal. As a first step, basic parameters like RF frequency, accelerating gradient and operating temperature of the superconducting cavities have been re-assessed, taking into account the experience accumulated in the world during the recent years, especially for the SNS and the ILC projects. The conclusions confirm the validity of the initial choices, namely the RF frequency of 704.4MHz and the cooling temperature of ~ 2K. However the assumed gradients are estimated as optimistic: additional tests are necessary during the coming years to properly define the values to be used in the SPL design. This analysis is documented and its results are explained in this report

A Very Intense Neutrino Super Beam Experiment for Leptonic CP Violation Discovery based on the European Spallation Source Linac: A Snowmass 2013 White Paper

Very intense neutrino beams and large neutrino detectors will be needed in order to enable the discovery of CP violation in the leptonic sector. We propose to use the proton linac of the European Spallation Source currently under construction in Lund, Sweden to deliver, in parallel with the spallation neutron production, a very intense, cost effective and high performance neutrino beam. The baseline program for the European Spallation Source linac is that it will be fully operational at 5 MW average power by 2022, producing 2 GeV 2.86 ms long proton pulses at a rate of 14 Hz. Our proposal is to upgrade the linac to 10 MW average power and 28 Hz, producing 14 pulses/s for neutron production and 14 pulses/s for neutrino production. Furthermore, because of the high current required in the pulsed neutrino horn, the length of the pulses used for neutrino production needs to be compressed to a few $\mu$s with the aid of an accumulator ring. A long baseline experiment using this Super Beam and a megaton underground Water Cherenkov detector located in existing mines 300-600 km from Lund will make it possible to discover leptonic CP violation at 5 $\sigma$ significance level in up to 50% of the leptonic Dirac CP-violating phase range. This experiment could also determine the neutrino mass hierarchy at a significance level of more than 3 $\sigma$ if this issue will not already have been settled by other experiments by then. The mass hierarchy performance could be increased by combining the neutrino beam results with those obtained from atmospheric neutrinos detected by the same large volume detector. This detector will also be used to measure the proton lifetime, detect cosmological neutrinos and neutrinos from supernova explosions. Results on the sensitivity to leptonic CP violation and the neutrino mass hierarchy are presented.Comment: 28 page