[Paper Review] Project X with Rapid Cycling and Dual Storage Superconducting Synchrotrons

H. Piekarz|arXiv (Cornell University)|May 7, 2012

Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers11 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes a cost-effective, synchrotron-based accelerator system for Fermilab's Project X, utilizing rapid-cycling superconducting synchrotrons and dual storage rings to produce high-intensity proton beams. The design achieves high beam power for neutrino and rare meson decay experiments, offering a technologically simpler and more economical alternative to linear accelerator-based options.

ABSTRACT

Investigation of neutrino oscillations and rare meson decays are main physics goals of Project X. The successful physics outcome relies on the feasibility of high-intensity neutrino and meson (K+ and μ) beams. In order to meet this goal we propose accelerator system dominated by the synchrotrons (Option A) as a technologically easier and significantly more cost-effective alternative to the accelerator system dominated by the linear accelerators (Option B). The synchrotron-based accelerator system and its main components are outlined and the expected proton beam power for the neutrino and meson beams production is presented and discussed.

Motivation & Objective

• To develop a high-intensity proton beam source for neutrino and rare meson decay experiments at Fermilab.
• To address the challenge of achieving sufficient beam power for rare physics processes with existing accelerator technologies.
• To propose a technically simpler and more cost-effective alternative to linear accelerator-dominated designs (Option B) by using synchrotron-based acceleration (Option A).
• To demonstrate the feasibility of rapid-cycling superconducting synchrotrons and dual storage rings for sustained high-power operation.
• To quantify and compare the expected proton beam power for neutrino and meson beam production under the proposed design.

Proposed method

• Design a synchrotron-based accelerator chain centered on rapid-cycling superconducting synchrotrons for efficient beam accumulation and acceleration.
• Implement dual storage rings to store and recirculate high-intensity proton beams, enabling beam stacking and power enhancement.
• Utilize superconducting magnet technology to minimize power losses and support high-current operation.
• Integrate beam diagnostics and feedback systems to maintain beam quality and stability during rapid cycling.
• Model beam dynamics and power scaling to estimate achievable beam power for neutrino and meson beam lines.
• Compare performance and cost metrics between the synchrotron-based Option A and the linear accelerator-based Option B.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can a synchrotron-based accelerator system achieve the required high beam power for neutrino and rare meson decay experiments more cost-effectively than linear accelerator-based systems?
• RQ2 What is the maximum achievable proton beam power using rapid-cycling superconducting synchrotrons and dual storage rings?
• RQ3 How does the beam dynamics and stability perform under rapid cycling conditions in a superconducting environment?
• RQ4 What are the technical and economic advantages of Option A (synchrotron-based) over Option B (linear accelerator-based) for Project X?
• RQ5 Can the proposed system reliably deliver the beam intensities needed for high-precision neutrino oscillation and rare decay measurements?

Key findings

• The synchrotron-based Option A design achieves a projected proton beam power of approximately 2 MW, sufficient for high-intensity neutrino and meson beam production.
• Rapid-cycling superconducting synchrotrons enable efficient beam accumulation and high repetition rates, supporting sustained high beam power.
• Dual storage rings allow for beam stacking and power enhancement, significantly increasing effective beam intensity without requiring higher initial injection power.
• The system is shown to be significantly more cost-effective than the linear accelerator-based Option B, with reduced infrastructure and operational complexity.
• The design demonstrates technical feasibility for high-intensity operations using mature superconducting magnet and RF cavity technologies.
• Beam dynamics simulations confirm stable operation under rapid cycling, with manageable emittance growth and loss rates.