US Accelerator R&D Program Toward Intensity Frontier Machines

Abstract

The 2014 P5 report [1] indicated the accelerator-based neutrino and rare decay physics research as a centrepiece of the US domestic HEP program. Operation, upgrade and development of the accelerators for the near-term and longer-term particle physics program at the Intensity Frontier face formidable challenges. Here we discuss key elements of the accelerator physics and technology R&D program toward future multi-MW proton accelerators.

IOTA (Integrable Optics Test Accelerator): facility and experimental beam physics program

“…Besides theoretical investigations, there have been modeling and simulation efforts dedicated to understanding beam dynamics issues with high intensity beams in the existing accelerators. There are also three important experimental activities: demonstration of novel techniques for high-current beam accelerators at the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA), development of cost-effective SC RF cavities and development of high-power targets capable to accept muliti-MW beams [5]. In this article we present the design and main parameters of the IOTA facility, outline progress to date and the timeline of the construction, commissioning and research, and describe the physical principles, design, and hardware implementation plans for the IOTA experiments.…”

“…Fermilab's 8 GeV proton Booster synchrotron performance vs intensity: beam emittance (red line, right axis) and fractional beam loss at present (black, left axis) and after currently planned upgrades (blue). Intensity dependent effects lead to unacceptable losses and emittance growth (from[6], data courtesy W.Pellico).…”

Accelerator R&D at Fermilab’s FAST/IOTA for Future High Intensity Proton Accelerators

“…In order to achieve the 2.5 MW goal of DUNE/LBNF, upgrades to the Fermilab accelerator complex beyond PIP-II are required. The so-called PIP-III currently consists of replacing the existing Booster with one of two options: an 8 GeV superconducting linac, or a rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) [5]. Recent breakthroughs in nitrogen processing of SRF cavities have produced encouraging results for the former option (see, e.g.…”