Study of alternative locations for the SPS Beam Dump Facility

TL;DR

This study evaluates alternative underground locations for the SPS Beam Dump Facility to optimize costs while maintaining physics capabilities, comparing options like TCC4, TNC, and ECN3 based on existing data and conceptual studies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive assessment of potential new locations for the BDF, including benefits, challenges, and a qualitative comparison to guide decision-making.

Findings

TCC4, TNC, and ECN3 are viable alternative locations.

Each location has distinct benefits and challenges.

Further detailed studies are needed for final selection.

Abstract

As part of the main focus of the BDF Working Group in 2021, this document reports on the study of alternative locations and possible optimisation that may accompany the reuse of existing facilities with the aim of significantly reducing the costs of the facility. Building on the BDF/SHiP Comprehensive Design Study (CDS), the assessment rests on the generic requirements and constraints that allow preserving the physics reach of the facility by making use of the $4\times 10^{19}$ protons per year at 400\,GeV that are currently not exploited at the SPS and for which no existing facility is compatible. The options considered involve the underground areas TCC4, TNC, and ECN3. Recent improvements of the BDF design at the current location (referred to as `TT90-TCC9-ECN4') are also mentioned together with ideas for yet further improvements. The assessments of the alternative locations compiled the large amount of information that is already available together with a set of conceptual studies that were performed during 2021. The document concludes with a qualitative comparison of the options, summarising the associated benefits and challenges of each option, such that a recommendation can be made about which location is to be pursued. The most critical location-specific studies required to specify the implementation and cost for each option are identified so that the detailed investigation of the retained option can be completed before the end of 2022.