Beam emittance measurements in RHIC

The RHIC proton polarimeters can operate in scanning mode, giving polarization profiles and transverse beam intensity profile (beam emittance) measurements. The polarimeters function as wire scanners, providing a very good signal/noise ratio and high counting rate. This allows accurate bunch-by-bunch emittance measurements during fast target sweeps (<1 s) through the beam. Very thin carbon strip targets make these measurements practically non-destructive. Bunch by bunch emittance measurements are a powerful tool for machine set-up; in RHIC, individual proton beam transverse emittances can only be measured by CNI polarimeter scans. We discuss the consistency of these measurements with Ionization Profile Monitors (IPMs) and vernier scan luminosity measurements. Absolute accuracy limitations and cross-calibration of different techniques are also discussed

p-Carbon CNI polarimetry in the AGS and RHIC.

Proton polarization measurements in the AGS (Alternate Gradient Synchrotron) and RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) are based on proton-carbon(pC) and proton-proton elastic scattering in the Coulomb Nuclear Interference (CNI) region. The CNI polarimeters are the essential tools for polarized proton acceleration setup and operation. High intensity recoil nuclei from the scattering of the circulating proton beam in the thin carbon target is efficiently utilized in the silicon strip detectors and data acquisition system, which is capable to analyze the event rate up to a few millions/second. This makes it possible for the fast, practically non-destructive polarization measurements. The polarization measurement on the beam energy ramp was implemented in AGS and RHIC, providing locations of polarization losses. Polarimeter operation in the scanning mode also gives polarization profile and beam profile (including bunch by bunch values for the later one). This paper summarizes the recent modifications. Results of polarization measurements are also discussed

RHIC Performance for FY2011 Au+Au Heavy Ion Run

Following the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 (Run-10) Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Au+Au run, RHIC experiment upgrades sought to improve detector capabilities. In turn, accelerator improvements were made to improve the luminosity available to the experiments for this run (Run-11). These improvements included: a redesign of the stochastic cooling systems for improved reliability; a relocation of 'common' RF cavities to alleviate intensity limits due to beam loading; and an improved usage of feedback systems to control orbit, tune and coupling during energy ramps as well as while colliding at top energy. We present an overview of changes to the Collider and review the performance of the collider with respect to instantaneous and integrated luminosity goals. At the conclusion of the FY 2011 polarized proton run, preparations for heavy ion run proceeded on April 18, with Au+Au collisions continuing through June 28. Our standard operations at 100 GeV/nucleon beam energy was bracketed by two shorter periods of collisions at lower energies (9.8 and 13.5 GeV/nucleon), continuing a previously established program of low and medium energy runs. Table 1 summarizes our history of heavy ion operations at RHIC

Upgrade and Operation of the BNL Tandems for RHIC Injection

One of the tandem Van de Graaffs (MP7) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has successfully completed its first year as an injector for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The tandem provided pulsed beam of Au{sup +32} (peak intensity 80 e{mu}A, 500{micro}s) with only 17 hours of downtime during a 5 month run. Improvements are being made to further increase the intensity of the gold beam for the experimental run starting in 2001. A second tandem Van de Graaff (MP6) has been extensively upgraded and can now reach a terminal voltage of over 14MV. A beamline has been constructed to transport the MP6 beam around MP7 and then connect to the existing MP7 beamlines. This has allowed MP6 to deliver beam to local target rooms for an outside user program, while MP7 has simultaneously injected RHIC. MP6 can also be used as an injector for RHIC

Operation of the RHIC AU ION Source

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is beginning its second year of operation. A cesium sputter ion source injecting into a tandem Van de Graaff provides the gold ions for RHIC. The ion source is operated in the pulsed beam mode and produces a 500{micro}sec long pulse of Au{sup -} with a peak intensity of 290pA at the entrance of the tandem. After acceleration in the tandem and post stripping, this results in a beam of Au{sup +32} with an intensity of 80e{micro}A and an energy of 182MeV. Over the last several years, a series of improvements have been made to increase the intensity of the pulsed beam from the ion source. Details of the source performance and improvements will be presented. In addition, an effort is under way to provide other beam species for RHIC collisions

Secondary-Electron Yields and Their Dependence on the Angle of Incidence on Stainless-Steel

INTRODUCTION There is considerable experimental information available for the yield of secondary electrons ejected following the impact of a variety of ions on different solid surfaces and also at the exit surfaces for ions penetrating thin targets. The field has been recently reviewed by several authors #1--4#. There are relatively few measurements for energies larger than 1 MeV/amu and of these, most are performed at normal incidence. Near grazing collisions are of particular importance for the practical applications described below. They are also of interest for the understanding of the underlying phenomena, since the yields #which become very large# are known, at lower energies, to deviate markedly from predictions based on semiempirical theories. The present experiments were motivated by the need to evaluate #and eventually avoid or mitigate# deleterious effects of secondary electrons on ion accelerator performance. In particular, e-p instabilities could occur in the Spallatio

Status and Recent Performance of the Accelerators that Serve as Gold Injector for RHIC

The recent successful commissioning and operation [1] of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) requires the injection of gold ions of specified energy and intensity with longitudinal and transverse emittances small enough to meet the luminosity requirements of the collider. Ion beams with the desired characteristics are provided by a series of three accelerators, the Tandem, Booster and AGS. The current status and recent performance of these accelerators are reviewed in this paper

RHIC Polarized proton operation

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) operation as the polarized proton collider presents unique challenges since both luminosity(L) and spin polarization(P) are important. With longitudinally polarized beams at the experiments, the figure of merit is LP{sup 4}. A lot of upgrades and modifications have been made since last polarized proton operation. A 9 MHz rf system is installed to improve longitudinal match at injection and to increase luminosity. The beam dump was upgraded to increase bunch intensity. A vertical survey of RHIC was performed before the run to get better magnet alignment. The orbit control is also improved this year. Additional efforts are put in to improve source polarization and AGS polarization transfer efficiency. To preserve polarization on the ramp, a new working point is chosen such that the vertical tune is near a third order resonance. The overview of the changes and the operation results are presented in this paper. Siberian snakes are essential tools to preserve polarization when accelerating polarized beams to higher energy. At the same time, the higher order resonances still can cause polarization loss. As seen in RHIC, the betatron tune has to be carefully set and maintained on the ramp and during the store to avoid polarization loss. In addition, the orbit control is also critical to preserve polarization. The higher polarization during this run comes from several improvements over last run. First we have a much better orbit on the ramp. The orbit feedback brings down the vertical rms orbit error to 0.1mm, much better than the 0.5mm last run. With correct BPM offset and vertical realignment, this rms orbit error is indeed small. Second, the jump quads in the AGS improved input polarization for RHIC. Third, the vertical tune was pushed further away from 7/10 snake resonance. The tune feedback maintained the tune at the desired value through the ramp. To calibrate the analyzing power of RHIC polarimeters at any energy above injection, the polarized hydrogen jet target runs for every fill with both beams. Based on the known analyzing power, there is very little polarization loss between injection and 100 GeV. An alternative way is to measure the asymmetry at 100 GeV followed by ramping up to 250 GeV and back down to 100 GeV and then to measure the asymmetry again at 100 GeV. If the asymmetry after the down ramp is similar to the measurement before the up ramp, polarization was also preserved during the ramp to 250 GeV. The analyzing power at storage energy can then be extracted from the asymmetries measured at 100 GeV and 250 GeV. The tune and orbit feedbacks are essential for the down ramp to be possible. The polarized proton operation is still going on. We will push bunch intensity higher until reaching the beam-beam limit. The even higher intensity will have to wait for the electron lenses to compensate the beam-beam effect. To understand the details of spin dynamics in RHIC with two snakes, spin simulation with the real magnet fields have been developed recently. The study will provide guidance for possible polarization loss schemes. Further polarization gain will requires a polarized source upgrade; more careful setup jump quads in the AGS to get full benefit; and control emittance in the whole accelerator chain