Experimental Area of the CERN Antiproton Decelerator

The CERN Antiproton Decelerator will deliver low energy beams to four experimental beam-lines installed within the acceleratorcircumference. The limited space available imposes tight constraints on the topology of the beam-lines needed by the experimental devices. In this paper, the general layout of the experimental area is reviewed. Furthermore, a discussion of the so-called measurement line for tests and AD beam property measurements is included along with remarks on the optics of the reverse injection of protons, to be used for the commissioning

The CERN PS East Area in the LHC Era

Experiments planned at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will require a well-equipped test area with low momentum (<15 Gev/c) secondary particle beams. These beams will be used to test some of the LHC detectors components (ALICE, ATLAS, CMS, LHCb). In addition another recently approved experiment (DIRAC) will be installed in the PS East Area. This experiment will require a primary proton beam of 24 GeV/c to test QCD predictions. In this context, the EHNL project (East Hall New Look) has been launched. The major modifications include (i) an extension of the present area with a primary 24 GeV/c beam line, (ii) a new secondary beam line lay-out with test areas at 3.5, 7, 10 and 15 GeV/c, (iii) an additional irradiation area, (iv) an improved facility for beam sharing between the various users. This paper describes the scope of the project, its new features, the planned facilities and its installation schedul

Fast extracted proton beams at low energies in the CPS east experimental area

To provide beams with characteristics required by the Energy Amplifier Test, the CERN PS had to deliver new beams, of low kinetic energy (0.6 - 2.7 GeV), low intensity (0.5-5¥109p) and short duration (<500 ns) via the existing slow extraction channel, the transfer line currently used for 24 GeV/c beams and a slightly modified secondary line. These beams were delivered without impairing other CPS operations and, despite large operational differences, the other three East area beam lines could alternatively be supplied with slow extracted beam, for half week periods, thanks to the short setting-up time of a few hours. This paper describes how such beams were produced: by (i) acceleration or deceleration of the injected beam in the CPS, depending on the requested energy, (ii) fast extraction using the usual slow extraction channel, (iii) careful optics adjustments and reduction of multiple scattering in the transfer line. The range of beam characteristics achieved, as well as the limitations encountered are also reported

An Antiproton Decelerator in the CERN PS Complex

The present CERN PS low-energy antiproton complex involves 4 machines to collect, cool, decelerate and supply experiments with up to 1010 antiprotons per pulse and per hour of momenta ranging from 0.1 to 2 GeV/c. In view of a possible future physics programme requiring low energy antiprotons, mainly to carry out studies on antihydrogen, a simplified scheme providing at low cost antiprotons at 100 MeV/c has been studied. It requires only one machine, the present Antiproton Collector (AC) converted into a cooler and decelerator (Antiproton Decelerator, AD) and delivering beam to experiments in the hall of the present Antiproton Accumulator Complex (AAC) [1]. This paper describes the feasibility study of such a scheme [2]

The antiproton decelerator (AD), a simplified antiproton source (feasibility study)

In view of a possible future physics programme concerning antihydrogen a simplified scheme for the provision of antiprotons of a few MeV has been studied. It uses the present target area and the modified Antiproton Collector (AC) in its present location. In this report all the systems are reviewed and their modifications discussed

The antiproton decelerator: AD

A simplified scheme for the provision of antiprotons at 100 MeV/c based on fast extraction is described. The scheme uses the existing production target area and the modified Antiproton Collector Ring in their current location. The physics programme is largely based on capturing and storing antiprotons in Penning traps for the production and spectroscopy of antihydrogen. The machine modifications necessary to deliver batches of 1 107 /min at 100 MeV/c are described. Details of the machine layout and the experimental area in the existing AAC Hall are given

Primates, Provisioning and Plants: Impacts of Human Cultural Behaviours on Primate Ecological Functions

Human provisioning of wildlife with food is a widespread global practice that occurs in multiple socio-cultural circumstances. Provisioning may indirectly alter ecosystem functioning through changes in the eco-ethology of animals, but few studies have quantified this aspect. Provisioning of primates by humans is known to impact their activity budgets, diets and ranging patterns. Primates are also keystone species in tropical forests through their role as seed dispersers; yet there is no information on how provisioning might affect primate ecological functions. The rhesus macaque is a major human-commensal species but is also an important seed disperser in the wild. In this study, we investigated the potential impacts of provisioning on the role of rhesus macaques as seed dispersers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, India. We studied a troop of macaques which were provisioned for a part of the year and were dependent on natural resources for the rest. We observed feeding behaviour, seed handling techniques and ranging patterns of the macaques and monitored availability of wild fruits. Irrespective of fruit availability, frugivory and seed dispersal activities decreased when the macaques were provisioned. Provisioned macaques also had shortened daily ranges implying shorter dispersal distances. Finally, during provisioning periods, seeds were deposited on tarmac roads that were unconducive for germination. Provisioning promotes human-primate conflict, as commensal primates are often involved in aggressive encounters with humans over resources, leading to negative consequences for both parties involved. Preventing or curbing provisioning is not an easy task as feeding wild animals is a socio-cultural tradition across much of South and South-East Asia, including India. We recommend the initiation of literacy programmes that educate lay citizens about the ill-effects of provisioning and strongly caution them against the practice