Mechanical robustness of HL-LHC collimator designs

Two new absorbing materials were developed as collimator inserts to fulfil the requirements of HL-LHC higher brightness beams: molybdenum-carbide graphite (MoGr) and copper-diamond (CuCD). These materials were tested under intense beam impacts at CERN HiRadMat facility in 2015, when full jaw prototypes were irradiated. Additional tests in HiRadMat were performed in 2017 on another series of material samples, including also improved grades of MoGr and CuCD, and different coating solutions. This paper summarizes the main results of the two experiments, with a main focus on the behaviour of the novel composite blocks, the metallic housing, as well as the cooling circuit. The experimental campaign confirmed the final choice for the materials and the design solutions for HL-LHC collimators, and constituted a unique chance of benchmarking numerical models. In particular, the tests validated the selection of MoGr for primary and secondary collimators, and CuCD as a valid solution for robust tertiary collimators

The "Multimat" experiment at CERN HiRadMat facility: advanced testing of novel materials and instrumentation for HL-LHC collimators

The increase of the stored beam energy in future particle accelerators, such as the HL-LHC and the FCC, calls for a radical upgrade in the design, materials and instrumentation of Beam Intercepting Devices (BID), such as collimators Following successful tests in 2015 that validated new composite materials and a novel jaw design conceived for the HL-LHC collimators, a new HiRadMat experiment, named “HRMT36-MultiMat”, is scheduled for autumn 2017. Its objective is to determine the behaviour under high intensity proton beams of a broad range of materials relevant for collimators and beam intercepting devices, thin-film coatings and advanced equipment. The test bench features 16 separate target stations, each hosting various specimens, allowing the exploration of complex phenomena such as dynamic strength, internal damping, nonlinearities due to anisotropic inelasticity and inhomogeneity, effects of energy deposition and radiation on coatings. This paper details the main technical solutions and engineering calculations for the design of the test bench and of the specimens, the candidate target materials and the instrumentation system

Mechanical Design Analysis of MQXFB, the 7.2-m-Long Low-β Quadrupole for the High-Luminosity LHC Upgrade

As part of the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Project, a set of Nb Snquadrupoles are being developed, aiming to enhance the performance of the inner triplets. The new magnets, identified as MQXFA and MQXFB, will share the same cross section with two different lengths, 4.2 and 7.2 m, respectively. During the magnet development, three short models were tested, along with a number of mechanical models, demonstrating the capability of the magnet cross section to achieve the specified performances. The same performances are now required for the full-length magnets. To ensure this, the authors studied the impact of the magnet length on the capability of the structure to provide an adequate support to the coils. Finite element and simplified analytical models were used to evaluate the impact of the magnet length on the stresses in the magnet ends and coil elongation during powering. The models were calibrated using the results from the short model tests, and used to provide an indication on the required prestress and its foreseen impact on the magnet performance.

Mechanical Performance of Short Models for MQXF, the Nb3Sn Low-β Quadrupole for the Hi-Lumi LHC

In the framework of the Hi-Lumi LHC Project, CERN and U.S. LARP are jointly developing MQXF, a 150-mm aperture high-field Nb3Sn quadrupole for the upgrade of the inner triplet of the low-beta interaction regions. The magnet is supported by a shell-based structure, providing the preload by means of bladder-key technology and differential thermal contraction of the various components. Two short models have been produced using the same cross section currently considered for the final magnet. The structures were preliminarily tested replacing the superconducting coils with blocks of aluminum. This procedure allows for model validation and calibration, and also to set performance goals for the real magnet. Strain gauges were used to monitor the behavior of the structure during assembly, cool down and also excitation in the case of the magnets. The various structures differ for the shell partitioning strategies adopted and for the presence of thick or thin laminations. This paper presents the results obtained and discusses the mechanical performance of all the short models produced up to now

Assembly of a Mechanical Model of MQXFB, the 7.2-m-Long Low-β Quadrupole for the High-Luminosity LHC Upgrade

The Nb Sn low-β quadrupole MQXF is being developed as a part of the High-Luminosity large hadron collider (LHC) upgrade project. The magnet will be produced in two different configurations, sharing the same cross section but with different lengths. A 7.2-m mechanical model of MQXFB was recently assembled at european organization for nuclear research (CERN) with one copper coil, two low-grade coils, and one rejected coil. Coil dimensions were measured with a portable coordinate measurement machine. The coil pack shimming was designed in order to optimize the field quality and the contacts between the coils and the collars. The azimuthal preload target was defined using the short models experience. The mechanical behavior during loading was monitored by means of strain gauges. The results demonstrated that the structure can provide the required prestress to the coils.

Design, construction, and beam tests of a rotatable collimator prototype for high-intensity and high-energy hadron accelerators

A rotatable-jaw collimator design was conceived as a solution to recover from catastrophic beam impacts which would damage a collimator at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) or its High-Luminosity upgrade (HL-LHC). One such rotatable collimator prototype was designed and built at SLAC and delivered to CERN for tests with LHC-type circulating beams in the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS). This was followed by destructive tests at the dedicated High Radiation to Materials (HiRadMat) facility to validate the design and rotation functionality. An overview of the collimator design, together with results from tests without and with beam are presented

Optimizing the use of pressurized bladders for the assembly of HL-LHC MQXFB magnets

The use of pressurized bladders for stress control of superconducting magnets was firstly proposed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in the early 2000s. Since then, the so-called bladders and keys procedure has become one of the reference techniques for the assembly of high-field accelerator magnets and demonstrators. Exploiting the advantages of this method is today of critical importance for Nb3Sn-based accelerator magnets, whose production requires the preservation of tight stress targets in the superconducting coils to limit the effects of the strain sensitivity and brittleness of the conductor. The present manuscript reports on the results of an experimental campaign focused on the optimization of the bladders and keys assembly process in the MQXFB quadrupoles. These 7.2 m long magnets shall be among the first Nb3Sn cryomagnets to be installed in a particle accelerator as a part of the High Luminosity upgrade of the LHC. One of the main practical implications of the bladders technique, especially important when applied to long magnets like MQXFB, is that to insert the loading keys, the opening of a certain clearance in the support structure is required. The procedure used so far for MQXF magnets involved an overstress in the coils during bladder inflation. The work presented here shows that such an overshoot can be eliminated thanks to additional bladders properly positioned in the structure. This optimized method was validated in a short model magnet and in a full-length mechanical model, becoming the new baseline for the series production at CERN. Furthermore, the results are supported by numerical predictions using Finite Element models

Performance of the First Short Model 150-mm-Aperture Nb3Sn Quadrupole MQXFS for the High-Luminosity LHC Upgrade

The U.S. LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) and CERN combined their efforts in developing Nb Sn magnets for the high-luminosity LHC upgrade. The ultimate goal of this collaboration is to fabricate large aperture Nb Sn quadrupoles for the LHC interaction regions. These magnets will replace the present 70-mm-Aperture NbTi quadrupole triplets for expected increase of the LHC peak luminosity up to 5 × 10 cm s or more. Over the past decade, LARP successfully fabricated and tested short and long models of 90 and 120-mm-Aperture Nb Sn quadrupoles. Recently, the first short model of 150-mm-diameter quadrupole MQXFS was built with coils fabricated both by LARP and CERN. The magnet performance was tested at Fermilab's vertical magnet test facility. This paper reports the test results, including the quench training at 1.9 K, ramp rate and temperature dependence, as well as protection heater studies. 3 3 3 34 -2 -

Progress on HL-LHC Nb3Sn Magnets

The high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) project aims at allowing to increase the collisions in the LHC by a factor of ten in the decade 2025-2035. One essential element is the superconducting magnet around the interaction region points, where the large aperture magnets will be installed to allow to further reduce the beam size in the interaction point. The core of this upgrade is the Nb Sn triplet, made up of 150-mm aperture quadrupoles in the range of 7-8 m. The project is being shared between the European Organization for Nuclear Research and the US Accelerator Upgrade Program, based on the same design, and on the two strand technologies. The project is ending the short model phase, and entering the prototype construction. We will report on the main results of the short model program, including the quench performance and field quality. A second important element is the 11 T dipole that replaces a standard dipole making space for additional collimators. The magnet is also ending the model development and entering the prototype phase. A critical point in the design of this magnet is the large current density, allowing increase of the field from 8 to 11 T with the same coil cross section as in the LHC dipoles. This is also the first two-in-one Nb Sn magnet developed so far. We will report the main results on the test and the critical aspects. 3