Particle production and energy deposition studies for the Neutrino Factory target station

TL;DR

This study uses FLUKA and MARS simulations to analyze pion production and energy deposition in the Neutrino Factory target station, exploring shielding needs, magnetic field adjustments, and alternative target materials.

Contribution

It provides detailed simulation-based insights into shielding requirements, magnetic field optimization, and alternative target options for the Neutrino Factory.

Findings

Significant shielding is required to protect superconducting coils.

Reducing the magnetic field does not impair pion production.

Alternative targets like gallium and tungsten are viable options.

Abstract

We present FLUKA and MARS simulation studies of the pion production and energy deposition in the Neutrino Factory baseline target station, which consists of a 4 MW proton beam interacting with a liquid mercury jet target within a 20 T solenoidal magnetic field. We show that a substantial increase in the shielding is needed to protect the superconducting coils from too much energy deposition. Investigations reveal that it is possible to reduce the magnetic field in the solenoid capture system without adversely affecting the pion production efficiency. We show estimates of the amount of concrete shielding that will be required to protect the environment from the high radiation doses generated by the target station facility. We also present yield and energy deposition results for alternative targets: gallium liquid jet, tungsten powder jet and solid tungsten bars.