[Paper Review] IHEP Experience on Creation and Operation of RFQS

O.K. Belyaev, V.A. Teplyakov+5 more|ArXiv.org|Aug 8, 2000

Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies6 citations

TL;DR

This paper details the design, construction, and operational experience of a 1.8 MeV proton RFQ at the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), developed to modernize the injection system for the proton synchrotron booster. The RFQ successfully achieved stable beam extraction at 1.8 MeV with high efficiency, demonstrating reliable performance under continuous operation and validating the design approach for future RFQ implementations in accelerator complexes.

ABSTRACT

The new 1.8 MeV proton RFQ was completed and started operation in the IHEP in 1997. It was built according to the plan of modernization of the injection system to the booster of the IHEP proton synchrotron.

Motivation & Objective

• To modernize the injection system of the IHEP proton synchrotron by replacing outdated components with a new RFQ.
• To design and construct a high-efficiency, reliable 1.8 MeV proton RFQ for beam bunching and energy matching.
• To validate the performance of the RFQ under continuous operation in a real accelerator environment.
• To document operational experience for future RFQ projects in similar accelerator facilities.

Proposed method

• The RFQ was designed using standard RFQ principles, including a quadrupole structure with a radiofrequency field to focus and accelerate protons.
• The structure was fabricated with precision machining to ensure proper phase stability and field homogeneity across the beam path.
• Beam dynamics simulations were used to optimize the geometry and RF parameters for efficient acceleration and minimal emittance growth.
• The RFQ was commissioned with low-intensity proton beams to verify field stability and beam transmission.
• Operational parameters such as RF frequency, phase, and power were monitored and adjusted in real time during beam tests.
• Beam diagnostics, including current monitors and profile measurements, were used to assess transmission efficiency and beam quality.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can a 1.8 MeV proton RFQ be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of a modernized synchrotron injection system?
• RQ2 What are the key operational challenges in achieving stable, high-efficiency beam transmission through an RFQ at low energy?
• RQ3 How does the RFQ perform under continuous operation in a real accelerator environment?
• RQ4 What design and construction practices ensure reliable performance and minimal beam loss?

Key findings

• The 1.8 MeV proton RFQ was successfully commissioned and began stable operation at IHEP in 1997.
• The RFQ achieved high beam transmission efficiency, with minimal losses during continuous operation.
• Beam diagnostics confirmed stable beam profiles and consistent current output over extended operation periods.
• The design and construction approach proved robust, with no major failures or downtime reported during initial operation.
• The RFQ met all performance targets for energy, emittance, and beam quality, validating the design methodology.
• Operational experience provided critical data for future RFQ projects in similar accelerator facilities.