Full-Cycle Simulations of the Fermilab Booster

TL;DR

This paper presents comprehensive 6D simulations of the Fermilab Booster to analyze beam losses and emittance growth, aiding the upgrade plans for increased beam power without exceeding loss limits.

Contribution

It demonstrates the application of full-cycle 6D PyORBIT simulations including space charge and impedance effects for Fermilab's Booster upgrade.

Findings

Simulations help identify potential beam loss scenarios.

Analysis of emittance growth under different operational conditions.

Insights into transition crossing effects on beam quality.

Abstract

The Proton Improvement Plan phase II (PIP-II) project currently under construction at FNAL will replace the existing 400 MeV normal conducting linac with a new 800 MeV superconducting linac. The beam power in the downstream rapid-cycling Booster synchrotron will be doubled by raising the machine cycle frequency from 15 to 20 Hz and by increasing the injected beam intensity by a factor 1.5. This has to be accomplished without raising uncontrolled losses beyond the administrative limit of 500 W. In addition, slip-stacking efficiency in the Recycler, the next machine in the accelerator chain, sets an upper limit on the longitudinal emittance of the beam delivered by the Booster. As part of an effort to better understand potential losses and emittance blow-up in the Booster, we have been conducting full cycle 6D simulations using the code PyORBIT. The simulations include space charge, wall impedance effects and transition crossing. In this paper, we discuss our experience with the code and present representative results for possible operational scenarios.