High-$\beta$* Optics Calculus at IP2 for Forward Physics in LHC Runs 3 and 4

TL;DR

This paper develops a high-$\beta$* optics configuration at LHC's IP2 to facilitate forward physics measurements, ensuring beam stability and improved sensitivity for small-angle scattering during Runs 3 and 4.

Contribution

It introduces a $\beta$* = 30 m optics scheme at IP2 using MAD-X, adapted from ATS, to enable forward physics with stable beams and outlines future extensions.

Findings

Designed a $\beta$* = 30 m optics scheme with MAD-X

Achieved beam stability and aperture requirements

Enabled continuous forward physics data-taking

Abstract

We present a study of high-$\beta$* optics configurations at Interaction Point 2 (IP2) of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), developed to enable forward and diffractive physics measurements with the ALICE experiment during Runs 3 and 4. Using MAD-X, we designed a $\beta$* = 30 m optics scheme that satisfies beam stability and aperture requirements, while offering improved sensitivity to small-angle scattering. The configuration follows the Achromatic Telescopic Squeeze (ATS) optics scheme, originally developed for IP1 and IP5, which provides enhanced control over phase advance and chromaticity. The resulting optics layout enables a forward physics program with continuous data-taking. We also outline possible extensions toward even higher $\beta$* values and discuss the implementation roadmap.