A New Longitudinal Diagnostics System for CERN's Antiproton Machines

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new real-time longitudinal diagnostics system for CERN's antiproton machines, enabling detailed beam measurements and operational monitoring to improve performance and efficiency.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel diagnostics system that processes high-speed data in real time, providing comprehensive beam measurements for CERN's antiproton accelerators.

Findings

Successful measurement of bunch length and profiles for bunched beams

Real-time data processing capabilities demonstrated

System readiness for deployment on other CERN machines

Abstract

A new powerful longitudinal diagnostics is being developed for the two CERN's antiproton machines, the Antiproton Decelerator (AD) and the Extra Low ENergy ANtiproton (ELENA) ring. The longitudinal diagnostics receives data from the Low-Level Radiofrequency (LLRF) system via optical fiber. Real time processing of gigabit data-streams is enabled by its computational resources and real-time operating system. Measurement of intensity, bunch length and turn-by-turn bunch profiles are available for bunched beams. Intensity, momentum spread and average frequency will soon be measured for debunched beams. The system will provide essential input to setup and monitor RF and cooling systems. It will also be used by operators to monitor each machine's performances and the overall efficiency of the antiproton chain. This paper shows the data acquisition/processing mechanism and preliminary bunched beam results for AD. Next steps and plans for exporting the system to other CERN machines equipped with the same LLRF system are also mentioned.