Comprehensive Study and Optimized Redesign of the CERN's Antiproton Decelerator Target

Abstract

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.

First prototypes of the new design of the CERN's antiproton production target

“…Within these activities, a set of new antiproton targets is being designed and manufactured. For arriving to such new design, several R&D activities were launched over the last years, particularly focused in understanding the mechanical response of the target core when subjected to the extreme dynamic stresses induced by the fast and high deposition of energy due to every proton beam impact . These activities are summarized in Section of this paper.…”

“…This response subjects the core material to compressive‐to‐tensile pressures of several gigapascals, above its strength. The simulations also suggest that the containing graphite matrix could be damaged by the generated stress wave propagating from the core . These results encouraged the execution of experimental studies (HiRadMat‐27 and HiRadMat‐42 experiments) aiming at validating these simulations and finding a core and matrix material configuration that could withstand these operating conditions.…”

“…This is attributed to its considerably higher ductility. In addition, the performed hydrocode simulations of Torregrosa et al were validated . Nevertheless, this experiment did not assess the response of Ta when subjected to a high number of proton beam impacts, nor the response of the graphite matrix.…”

“…For arriving to such new design, several R&D activities were launched over the last years, particularly focused in understanding the mechanical response of the target core when subjected to the extreme dynamic stresses induced by the fast and high deposition of energy due to every proton beam impact. 3 These activities are summarized in Section 2 of this paper. The results of such studies lead to the manufacturing of six target prototypes (PROTAD targets), which were tested under proton beam impacts using the CERN's HiRadMat facility.…”

Development of a Neutron Imaging Station at the n_TOF Facility of CERN and Applications to Beam Intercepting Devices

“…Antiproton production requires the use of a very high density metal as target material and a very focused and intense primary proton beam impacting onto it. This leads to a huge and fast energy deposition in the bulk of target material, with its subsequent sudden increase of temperature and appearance of violent stress waves, which can eventually fracture it [15]. This phenomena has been extensively studied both numerically [16] and experimentally [17,18].…”