High intensity cyclotrons for neutrino physics

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of high intensity cyclotrons for neutrino physics, highlighting novel design ideas and their promising simulation results for future experiments like IsoDAR.

Contribution

It introduces innovative methods such as accelerating H2+ ions and direct RFQ injection, advancing high intensity cyclotron technology for neutrino research.

Findings

Successful PIC simulation results support the design.

Injector system construction is underway.

Preliminary tests with a 1 MeV cyclotron are planned.

Abstract

In recent years, the interest in high intensity proton beams in excess of several milli-Amperes has risen. Potential applications are in neutrino physics, materials and energy research, and isotope production. Continuous wave proton beams of five to ten milli-Amperes are now in reach due to advances in accelerator technology and through improved understanding of the beam dynamics. As an example application, we present the proposed IsoDAR experiment, a search for so-called sterile neutrinos and non-standard interaction using the KamLAND detector located in Japan. We present updated sensitivities for this experiment and describe in detail the design of the high intensity proton driver that uses several novel ideas. These are: accelerating H2+ instead of protons, directly injecting beam into the cyclotron via a Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ), and carefully matching the beam to achieve so-called vortex motion. The preliminary design holds up well in PIC simulation studies and the injector system is now being constructed, to be commissioned with a 1 MeV test cyclotron.