Using the transverse digital damper as a real-time tune monitor for the Booster synchrotron at Fermilab

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how a transverse digital damper system at Fermilab's Booster can be used for real-time tune monitoring by exciting a single bunch, with algorithms integrated into FPGA firmware.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for real-time tune measurement using the digital damper system during routine operation.

Findings

Real-time tune monitoring achieved during Booster cycles.

Minimal impact on machine operation when exciting a single bunch.

Algorithms successfully integrated into FPGA firmware.

Abstract

The Fermilab Booster is a fast ramping (15Hz) synchrotron which accelerates protons from 400MeV to 8GeV. During commissioning of a transverse digital damper system, it was shown that the damper could provide a measurement of the machine tune throughout the cycle by exciting just 1 of the 84 bunches with minimal impact on the machine operation. The algorithms used to make the measurement have been incorporated into the damper FPGA firmware allowing for real-time tune monitoring of all Booster cycles.