Beam Loss Control for the Fermilab Main Injector

TL;DR

This paper discusses the strategies and hardware improvements implemented at Fermilab's Main Injector from 2005 to 2012 to control beam losses, enhance operational power, and reduce residual radiation through optimized diagnostics and collimation.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive overview of the loss control techniques, hardware upgrades, and diagnostics that enabled sustained 400 kW operation with minimized beam losses and radiation levels.

Findings

Achieved 400 kW beam power with losses near 8 GeV injection energy.

Reduced residual radiation levels despite doubling beam power.

Enhanced instrumentation and collimation improved loss localization and system performance.

Abstract

From 2005 through 2012, the Fermilab Main Injector provided intense beams of 120 GeV protons to produce neutrino beams and antiprotons. Hardware improvements in conjunction with improved diagnostics allowed the system to reach sustained operation at 400 kW beam power. Losses were at or near the 8 GeV injection energy where 95% beam transmission results in about 1.5 kW of beam loss. By minimizing and localizing loss, residual radiation levels fell while beam power was doubled. Lost beam was directed to either the collimation system or to the beam abort. Critical apertures were increased while improved instrumentation allowed optimal use of available apertures. We will summarize the impact of various loss control tools and the status and trends in residual radiation in the Main Injector.