AWAKE Phase II

Abstract

AWAKE is the first proof-of-concept proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration experiment. AWAKE’s first phase concluded in 2018, with controlled acceleration of electrons to energies of 2 GeV in a 10-m long plasma cell. AWAKE’s second phase operates since 2021 and aims to prove, step by step, that good electron beam parameters can be obtained reliably and consistently, also with scalable plasma cell technolo-gies. To continue phase two, the AWAKE facility needs to more than double its footprint to house new beam equipment and infrastructure. This requires the dis-mantling of the irradiated CNGS target cavern, after which the AWAKE experiment will start operating with a 20-metres plasma cell. After showing AWAKE’s physics results and configurations, this paper will address the challenges of running and coordinating the AWAKE facility, and study the feasibility of its future requirements for what concerns integration, installation, infrastructure, and safety, including the dismantling of the CNGS target cavern