PXIE: Project X Injector Experiment

TL;DR

The paper discusses the development and construction of PXIE, a prototype front end for Fermilab's Project X, aiming to validate innovative technologies for high-power proton acceleration.

Contribution

It presents the design, construction, and planned operation of PXIE as a prototype to validate novel front end technologies for high-power proton accelerators.

Findings

Successful construction of PXIE prototype.

Validation of novel front end technologies.

Demonstration of high-power proton beam capabilities.

Abstract

A multi-MW proton facility, Project X has been proposed and is currently under development at Fermilab. As part of this development program, we are constructing a prototype of the front end of the Project X linac at Fermilab. The construction and successful operations of this facility will validate the concept for the Project X front end, thereby minimizing the primary technical risk element within the Project. The Project X Injector Experiment (PXIE) can be constructed over the period FY12-16 and will include an H- ion source, a CW 2.1-MeV RFQ and two SC cryomodules providing up to 30 MeV energy gain at an average beam current of 1 mA. Successful operations of the facility will demonstrate the viability of novel front end technologies that will find applications beyond Project X in the longer term.