Protection Related to High-power Targets

TL;DR

This paper discusses the importance of target protection in high-power accelerators, analyzing risks, control methods, and providing case studies to prevent damage from beam misalignments or parameter deviations.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive overview of high-power target protection, including risk management strategies and practical examples from accelerator facilities.

Findings

Identification of key failure modes for high-power targets

Strategies for controlling beam-related risks

Case study of Oak Ridge Spallation Neutron Source target protection

Abstract

Target protection is an important part of machine protection. The beam power in high-intensity accelerators is high enough that a single wayward pulse can cause serious damage. Today's high-power targets operate at the limit of available technology, and are designed for a very narrow range of beam parameters. If the beam pulse is too far off centre, or if the beam size is not correct, or if the beam density is too high, the target can be seriously damaged. We will start with a brief introduction to high-power targets and then move to a discussion of what can go wrong, and what are the risks. Next we will discuss how to control the beam-related risk, followed by examples from a few different accelerator facilities. We will finish with a detailed example of the Oak Ridge Spallation Neutron Source target tune up and target protection.