Researchers at Fermilab, led by Benjamin Simons, Nilanjan Banerjee, Jeffrey Eldred, and Vladimir Shiltsev, have proposed an experiment to advance proton bunch compression techniques, a critical requirement for future proton-driven muon colliders. Their work focuses on the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) storage ring, a compact facility dedicated to beam physics research and development.
The team aims to investigate optimal radio-frequency (RF) cavity parameters and lattice configurations for compressing high-intensity, space-charge-dominated proton bunches. Using the ImpactX code with its 3D space-charge solver, they conducted simulations that showed the bunch length could be reduced by at least a factor of two without significant degradation of transverse beam quality. This achievement is notable, especially under the extreme space-charge conditions that IOTA can handle, circulating a 2.5 MeV proton beam.
However, the researchers acknowledge that longitudinal defocusing due to space-charge remains a significant challenge in short-pulsed intense proton bunches. The optimization of compression under these conditions is a key focus of their study. The practical applications of this research are substantial for the energy sector, particularly in the development of advanced particle accelerators and colliders, which are essential for various energy-related research and technological advancements.
The study was published in the journal Physical Review Accelerators and Beams, providing a detailed exploration of the methods and findings related to proton bunch compression. This research highlights the ongoing efforts to improve beam dynamics and optimize accelerator performance, which are crucial for the future of energy research and development.
In summary, the proposed experiment at Fermilab’s IOTA storage ring offers promising insights into the compression of high-intensity proton bunches. The findings could pave the way for more efficient and effective particle accelerators, benefiting the energy sector and advancing our understanding of beam physics.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.