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Linac4 is the negative hydrogen ion (H - ) injector of the CERN accelerator complex. Modelling of the beam formation is essential for optimizing the current and emittance of the H - ion source. We exploited the 3D PIC-Monte Carlo ONIX (Orsay Negative Ion eXtraction) code for studying H - beam formation processes in caesiated negative ion sources. The various geometries of the IS03 prototypes have been implemented into ONIX. The code, designed for neutral injector multi-aperture sources for fusion has been adapted to match the single-aperture extraction region of the Linac4 H - source. A plasma electrode designed to ensure radial metallic boundary conditions was produced and tested. The simulation results of the beam formation region at low plasma density to validate the functionality of the modified ONIX version are presented.

A novel high-gradient accelerating structure with low phase velocity,v/c=0.38, has been designed, manufactured and high-power tested. The structure was designed and built using the methodology and technology developed for CLIC100MV/mhigh-gradient accelerating structures, which have speed of light phase velocity, but adapts them to a structure for nonrelativistic particles. The parameters of the structure were optimized for the compact proton therapy linac project, and specifically to 76 MeV energy protons, but the type of structure opens more generally the possibility of compact low phase velocity linacs. The structure operates in S-band, is backward traveling wave (BTW) with a phase advance of 150 degrees and has an active length of 19 cm. The main objective for designing and testing this structure was to demonstrate that low velocity particles, in particular protons, can be accelerated with high gradients. In addition, the performance of this structure compared to other type of structures provides insights into the factors that limit high gradient operation. The structure was conditioned successfully to high gradient using the same protocol as for CLIC X-band structures. However, after the high power test, data analysis realized that the structure had been installed backwards, that is, the input power had been fed into what is nominally the output end of the structure. This resulted in higher peak fields at the power feed end and a steeply decreasing field profile along the structure, rather than the intended near constant field and gradient profile. A local accelerating gradient of81MV/mnear the input end was achieved at a pulse length of1.2μsand with a breakdown rate (BDR) of7.2×10−71/pulse/m. The reverse configuration was accidental but the operating with this field condition gave very important insights into high-gradient behaviour and a comprehensive analysis has been carried out. A particular attention was paid to the characterization of the distribution of BD positions along the structure and within a cell.

An H - ion source is being operated at the new 160 MeV linear injector (Linac4) of the CERN accelerator complex. The source’s plasma is of the Radio Frequency Inductively Coupled Plasma type (RF-ICP), without magnetic cusp and runs with Cs-loss compensation [1]. Vertical downward oriented filter- and electron dump-dipolar magnetic fields expand over the plasma chamber, beam-formation, beam-extraction and electron dump regions and generate horizontal asymmetry and beam angular deflection partially compensated by mechanical alignment of the front-end. The H - beam is generated via volume and caesiated plasma surface modes, the latter inducing a radial asymmetry characterized by an increased current density close to the plasma electrode surface [2]. Asymmetries affecting the meniscus shape, or its current density have to be simulated via 3D Particle In Cell Monte Carlo (PIC-MC) solvers, such as the Orsay Negative Ion eXtraction code (ONIX) [3]. Validation of these simulations require dedicated measurements. This contribution describes experimental methods newly implemented at CERN’s ion source test stand and initial results for Optical and Beam Emission Spectroscopy (OES, BES), emittance and beam profile measurements. In a later stage, the gathered data sets can be compared to source plasma parameters and extracted beam parameters from PIC-MC simulations, once coupled to the Ion Beam Simulation (IBSimu) [4] beam transport code. The experimental parameter space includes RF-power, density of neutrals, position of the RF coil and extraction field. Beams of H - , D - and protons were produced; examples of measured data are presented in this contribution.

An S-band High-Gradient (HG) Radio Frequency (RF) laboratory is under construction and commissioning at IFIC. The purpose of the laboratory is to perform investigations of high-gradient phenomena and to develop normal-conducting RF technology, with special focus on RF systems for hadron-therapy. The layout of the facility is derived from the scheme of the Xbox-3 test facility at CERN [1] and uses medium peak-power (7.5 MW) and high repetition rate (400 Hz) klystrons, whose RF output is combined to drive two testing slots to the required power. The design and construction of the various components of the system started in 2016 and has been completed. The installation and commissioning of the laboratory is progressing, with first results expected before mid-2018. The technical characteristics of the different elements of the system and the commissioning status together with preliminary results are described.

A novel high-gradient accelerating structure with low phase velocity, v/c=0.38, has been designed, manufactured and high-power tested. The structure was designed and built using the methodology and technology developed for CLIC 100 MV/m high-gradient accelerating structures, which have speed of light phase velocity, but adapts them to a structure for nonrelativistic particles. The parameters of the structure were optimized for the compact proton therapy linac project, and specifically to 76 MeV energy protons, but the type of structure opens more generally the possibility of compact low phase velocity linacs. The structure operates in S-band, is backward traveling wave (BTW) with a phase advance of 150 degrees and has an active length of 19 cm. The main objective for designing and testing this structure was to demonstrate that low velocity particles, in particular protons, can be accelerated with high gradients. In addition, the performance of this structure compared to other type of structures provides insights into the factors that limit high gradient operation. The structure was conditioned successfully to high gradient using the same protocol as for CLIC X-band structures. However, after the high power test, data analysis realized that the structure had been installed backwards, that is, the input power had been fed into what is nominally the output end of the structure. This resulted in higher peak fields at the power feed end and a steeply decreasing field profile along the structure, rather than the intended near constant field and gradient profile. A local accelerating gradient of 81 MV/m near the input end was achieved at a pulse length of 1.2 μs and with a breakdown rate (BDR) of 7.2×10-7 1/pulse/m. The reverse configuration was accidental but the operating with this field condition gave very important insights into high-gradient behaviour and a comprehensive analysis has been carried out. A particular attention was paid to the characterization of the distribution of BD positions along the structure and within a cell.

The caesiated surface negative ion source is the first element of CERN's LINAC4 a linear injector designed to accelerate negative hydrogen ions to 160 MeV. The IS03 ion source is operated at 35 mA beam intensity and reliably feeds CERN's accelerator chain, H- ions are generated via plasma volume and caesiated molybdenum plasma electrode surface mechanisms. Studying the beam extraction region of this H- ion source is essential for optimizing the H- production. The 3D Particle-in-cell Monte Carlo code ONIX (Orsay Negative Ion eXtraction), written to study H- beam formation processes in neutral injectors for fusion, has been adapted to single aperture accelerator H- sources. The code was modified to match the conditions of the beam formation and extraction regions of the Linac4 H- source. A set of parameters was chosen to characterize the plasma and to match the specific volume and surface production modes. Simulated results of the extraction regions are presented and benchmarked with experimental results obtained at the Linac4 test stand.