BEAM ORBIT STABILITY AT ELETTRA

Abstract The top-up operation established since 2010 at the Elettra third-generation synchrotron light source has solved the problems related to thermal drifts and beam current dependence, and a series of feedback loops acting on the machine optics and radio-frequency systems made easier to setup and operate the ring. Those systems together with the fast orbit feedback in operation since 2007, contributed to very high electron beam orbit stability. A description of the active systems and their performance, future perspectives as well as some still open issues will be presented and discussed

TOP-UP OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT ELETTRA

Abstract Since May 2010 Elettra, operates in top-up at both 2 and 2.4 GeV user energies. In this paper the experience during more than a year of operation in top-up is discussed and the machine up time statistics are presented and compared with the before top up period

Diagnostic relevance of spatial orientation for vascular dementia: A case study

Background: Spatial orientation is emerging as an early and reliable cognitive biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. However, no evidence exists as to whether spatial orientation is also affected in vascular dementia (VaD). Objective: To examine allocentric (map-based) and egocentric (viewpoint-based) spatial orientation in an early stage VaD case. Methods: A spatial test battery was administered following clinical and neuropsychological cognitive evaluation. Results: Despite the patient’s complaints, little evidence of episodic memory deficits were detected when cueing was provided to overcome executive dysfunction. Similarly, medial temporal lobe-mediated allocentric orientation was intact. By contrast, medial parietal-mediated egocentric orientation was impaired, despite normal performance on standard visuospatial tasks. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth investigation of spatial orientation deficits in VaD. Isolated egocentric deficits were observed. This differs from AD orientation deficits which encompass both allocentric and egocentric orientation deficits. A combination of egocentric orientation and executive function tests could serve as a promising cognitive marker for VaD pathophysiology

FERMI@Elettra: A Seeded Harmonic Cascade FEL for EUV and Soft X-Rays

We describe the machine layout and major performance parameters for the FERMI FEL project funded for construction at Sincrotrone Trieste, Italy, within the next five years. The project will be the first user facility based on seeded harmonic cascade FEL's, providing controlled, high peak-power pulses. With a high-brightness rf photocathode gun, and using the existing 1.2 GeV S-band linac, the facility will provide tunable output over a range from {approx}100 nm to {approx}10 nm, with pulse duration from 40 fs to {approx} 1ps, peak power {approx}GW, and with fully variable output polarization. Initially, two FEL cascades are planned; a single-stage harmonic generation to operate > 40 nm, and a two-stage cascade operating from {approx}40 nm to {approx}10 nm or shorter wavelength. The output is spatially and temporally coherent, with peak power in the GW range. Lasers provide modulation to the electron beam, as well as driving the photocathode and other systems, and the facility will integrate laser systems with the accelerator infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art optical timing system providing synchronization of rf signals, lasers, and x-ray pulses. Major systems and overall facility layout are described, and key performance parameters summarized

Influence of longitudinally tapered collimators on a high brightness electron beam

This article presents the design and operation of a longitudinally tapered collimator in a single-pass S-band linac driving a high brightness electron beam. Measurements were done for the transverse emittance growth induced by the collimator wakefield as a function of the lateral displacement of the beam inside the collimator and the energy acceptance provided by an identical collimator installed in a dispersive region. The measurements demonstrate that: (i) the proposed design allows very precise and reproducible motion down to the micron level of the compact, four-hole collimator; (ii) the collimator does not degrade the beam emittance in the presence of standard trajectory control; (iii) the measured kick factor and energy acceptance are in agreement with the theoretical expectations. These measurements were made using 500 pC, 2.4 ps long bunches at the FERMI@Elettra free electron laser facility