Electron cloud detection and characterization in the CERN Proton Synchrotron

We describe a dedicated electron cloud experiment which was installed in the CERN Proton Synchrotron in 2007. The setup comprises shielded button-type pickups, a fast vacuum logging, a dipole magnet, and a stripline electrode to experimentally verify the beneficial effect of electron cloud clearing.The electron cloud effect was observed within the last milliseconds before ejection of the nominal LHC proton beam consisting of 72 bunches with 25 ns spacing. Measurements of electron flux at the wall and vacuum pressure are presented for a set of magnetic fields and bias voltages on the clearing electrode, showing that efficient electron cloud suppression can be obtained for appropriate clearing voltages but revealing an unexpectedly complex dependence on magnetic field and voltage

The CERN-SPS Experiment on Microwave Transmission through the Beam Pipe

In the CERN SPS microwave transmission measurements through beampipe sections with a length of 30 m and 7 m respectively have been carried out in the frequency range 2-4 GHz since spring 2003. Here we report on new results obtained with improved measurement techniques during the 2004 run. Observation techniques include a fast real time scope, spectrum analyser IF and video output signal registration and baseband signal observation using a PC soundcard. The unexpected beamâ"induced amplitude modulation has been confirmed on all kinds of available beams including single bunches. It was found that there is a correlation between the amount of beam induced signal attenuation and the beam losses registered by external scintillators. Potential theoretical models are discussed

Waveguide Mode Reflectometry for Obstacle Detection in the LHC Beam Pipe Including Signal Attenuation

Unexpected obstacle formation in the LHC beam-pipe during assembly, cool down and operation may lead to major disturbances. Thus a fast, precise, sensitive and reliable means to detect and characterize such a fault is highly desirable, preferably without the need to break the vacuum. Waveguide mode time domain reflectometry using the synthetic pulse technique has been selected for this purpose. The system will use a modern vector network analyzer operating using essentially the fundamental TM mode on the LHC beam-screen. The objective is to measure over a full arc with access from either side both in reflection and transmission mode. If the proposed system is implemented a total of 32 couplers will be permanently installed, which may be used in normal operation for beam diagnostics and other applications. The attenuation of several short beam-screen sections has been measured both for TE and TM modes by means of a resonator method and these data are compared with theoretical results. Waveguide calibration on the beam-pipe and digital signal processing to compensate dispersion are studied. Finally, using a 44m test track the performance of the proposed methods is examined

Preface: Invited Papers from the 17th Annual International Conference on Ion Sources

The 17th International Conference on Ion Sources was hosted by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, and took place in October 2017 at Geneva’s International Conference Centre. The event covered the physics and technology of all types of ion sources for all applications

Beam-loss induced pressure rise of Large Hadron Collider collimator materials irradiated with 158 GeV/u In49+In^{49+} ions at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron

During heavy ion operation, large pressure rises, up to a few orders of magnitude, were observed at CERN, GSI, and BNL. The dynamic pressure rises were triggered by lost beam ions that impacted onto the vacuum chamber walls and desorbed about 10/sup 4/ to 10/sup 7/ molecules per ion. The deterioration of the dynamic vacuum conditions can enhance charge-exchange beam losses and can lead to beam instabilities or even to beam abortion triggered by vacuum interlocks. Consequently, a dedicated measurement of heavy-ion induced molecular desorption in the GeV/u energy range is important for Large Hadron Collider (LHC) ion operation. In 2003, a desorption experiment was installed at the super proton synchrotron to measure the beam-loss induced pressure rise of potential LHC collimator materials. Samples of bare graphite, sputter coated (Cu, TiZrV) graphite, and 316 LN (low carbon with nitrogen) stainless steel were irradiated under grazing angle with 158 GeV/u indium ions. After a description of the new experimental setup, the results of the pressure rise measurements are presented, and the derived desorption yields are compared with data from other experiments

A Collimation Scheme for Ions Changing Charge State in the LEIR Ring

Avalanche-like pressure rise and an associated decrease of the beam life-time, caused by (i) beam loss due to charge exchange interactions with rest gas molecules and (ii) electron capture from the electron beam of the electron cooler and (iii) ion impact induced outgassing, is a potential limitation for heavy ion accelerators. The vacuum system of the LEIR ring as to be upgraded to reach the dynamical vacuum pressure in the low 10-12 Torr range necessary to reach design performance. A collimation system to intercept lost ions by absorber blocks made of low beam-induced outgassing material will be installed. This paper reviews the collimation scheme and simulations of beam loss patterns around the ring

Beam-Loss Induced Pressure Rise of LHC Collimator Materials Irradiated with 158 GeV/u In49+In^{49+} Ions at the CERN SPS

During heavy ion operation, large pressure rises, up to a few orders of magnitude, were observed at CERN, GSI, and BNL. The dynamic pressure rises were triggered by lost beam ions that impacted onto the vacuum chamber walls and desorbed about 1044 to 107 molecules per ion. The deterioration of the dynamic vacuum conditions can enhance charge-exchange beam losses and can lead to beam instabilities or even to beam abortion triggered by vacuum interlocks. Consequently, a dedicated measure-ment of heavy-ion induced molecular desorption in the GeV/u energy range is important for LHC ion operation. In 2003, a desorption experiment was installed at the SPS to measure the beam-loss induced pressure rise of potential LHC collimator materials. Samples of bare graphite, sputter coated (Cu, TiZrV) graphite, and 316 LN stainless steel, were irradiated under grazing angle with 158 GeV/u indium ions. After a description of the new experimental set-up, the results of the pressure rise measurements are presented, and the derived desorption yields are compared with data from other experiments

Heavy-ion-induced desorption yields of cryogenic surfaces bombarded with 1.4 MeV/u xenon ions

Heavy-ion-induced desorption of two different cryogenic targets was studied with a new experimental setup installed at the GSI High Charge State Injector. One gold-coated and one amorphous-carbon-coated copper target, bombarded under perpendicular impact with 1.4  MeV/u Xe^{18+} ions, were tested. Partial pressure rises of H_{2}, CO, CO_{2}, and CH_{4} and effective desorption yields were measured at 300, 77, and 8 K using continuous heavy-ion bombardment. We found that the desorption yields decrease with decreasing target temperature and measured the yield rises as a function of CO gas cryosorbed at 8 K. In this paper we describe the experimental system comprising a new cryogenic target assembly, the preparation of the targets, the test procedure, and the evaluation of the effective pumping speed of the setup. Pressure rise and gas adsorption experiments are described; the obtained results are discussed and compared with literature data