PXIE Optics and Layout

TL;DR

PXIE is a prototype for Project X's front end, designed to validate the concept, reduce risks, and study beam dynamics with advanced instrumentation and flexible bunch structure capabilities.

Contribution

This paper details the design and layout of PXIE, introducing new instrumentation and a reduced kicker system to enhance front end validation.

Findings

Validation of the Project X front end design

Operational experience to refine the final design

Demonstration of flexible bunch structure formation

Abstract

The Project X Injector Experiment (PXIE) will serve as a prototype for the Project X front end. The aim is to validate the Project-X design and to decrease technical risks, known to be mainly related to the front end. PXIE will accelerate a 1 mA CW beam to about 25 MeV. It will consist of an ion source, LEBT, CW RFQ, MEBT, two SC cryomodules, a diagnostic section and a beam dump. A bunch-by-bunch chopper located in the MEBT section will allow formation of an arbitrary bunch structure. PXIE deviates somewhat from the current Project-X front end concept in that it provides additional instrumentation and relies on a reduced number of kickers for bunch chopping; the diagnostic section also include an RF separator to allow studying extinction of removed bunches. The paper discusses the main requirements and constraints motivating the facility layout and optics. Final adjustments to the Project X front end design, if needed, will be based on operational experience gained with PXIE.