High-power targets: experience and R&D for 2 MW

TL;DR

This paper discusses the design and R&D efforts for high-power particle production targets capable of withstanding 2 MW proton beams, focusing on materials, thermal management, and radiation effects to ensure durability.

Contribution

It presents new R&D insights and design strategies for high-power targets, addressing survivability challenges in extreme beam environments.

Findings

Identified key material and design challenges for 2 MW targets

Developed new R&D testing protocols for target durability

Proposed optimized target geometries and cooling methods

Abstract

High-power particle production targets are crucial elements of future neutrino and other rare particle beams. Fermilab plans to produce a beam of neutrinos (LBNE) with a 2.3 MW proton beam (Project X). Any solid target is unlikely to survive for an extended period in such an environment - many materials would not survive a single beam pulse. We are using our experience with previous neutrino and antiproton production targets, along with a new series of R&D tests, to design a target that has adequate survivability for this beamline. The issues considered are thermal shock (stress waves), heat removal, radiation damage, radiation accelerated corrosion effects, physics/geometry optimization and residual radiation.