Laser Manipulation of H- Beams: a Snowmass 2022 White Paper

TL;DR

This white paper discusses the potential of laser manipulation techniques to improve high-power hadron beam handling, aiming to overcome current limitations in beam power and foil durability for future accelerators.

Contribution

It introduces laser-based methods as innovative solutions for manipulating H- beams, addressing challenges in high-power accelerator operations.

Findings

Laser techniques can reduce foil sublimation issues.

Laser manipulation may decrease beam loss and scattering.

Potential for enabling higher beam power in accelerators.

Abstract

Future high-power (10 - 20 MW) hadron accelerators offer many unique opportunities for fundamental science and nuclear applications. With the completion of Proton Power Upgrade (PPU) at 2.8 MW [1] and European Spallation Source (ESS) at 5 MW [2], the attention will be focused on the next high-power machine in hadron accelerator community. Charge exchange injection into a synchrotron using diamond stripper foils offers great advantage over direct proton acceleration. However, there are clear limitations associated with foil sublimation above critical beam power density and beam loss due to scattering (~10 rem/hour at 10 MW for SNS).