The Antiproton Decelerator Target (AD-Target) is a unique device responsible for the production of antiprotons at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). During operation, intense 26 GeV energy proton beams are impacted into its core, made of a 3 mm diameter rod of a high density material such as iridium, creating secondary particles-including antiprotons-from the nuclear reactions induced in its interior. This thesis delves into the characteristics of antiproton production and in particular in the mechanical response of the target core material, which is exposed to a rise of temperature of ∼ 2000 • C in less than 0.5 µs each time is impacted by the primary proton beam. A coupled numericalexperimental approach has been applied for this purpose. Finalmente, agradecer infinitamente a mi familia, primos y tíos. Y más que a nadie a mis padres y hermana, por su cariño y apoyo incondicional, ahora y siempre. Este doctorado es tan suyo como mío.

For antiproton production at CERN, high‐energy (26 GeV/c), intense, and short proton beams are impacted into a small rod—target core—made of a dense metal. Temperature rises in the order of 2000°C, and subsequent dynamic stresses of several gigapascals are induced in this rod every time it is impacted by the primary proton beam. Several R&D activities have been launched with the goal of proposing and manufacturing a new design of such device (named AD‐Target). A summary of these activities is presented, including the last design stage, which involves the manufacturing and testing of six real‐scale prototypes of the new target design. These prototypes (named PROTAD) consist of air‐cooled Ti‐6Al‐4V assemblies filled by matrices made of isostatic graphite or expanded graphite (EG), containing target cores made of small rods with different diameters (from 2 to 10 mm) of multiple grades of Ta, Ta2.5W, and Ir.

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