Upgrade to Fixed and Translating Scintillation-based Loss Detector System in the Fermilab Drift Tube Linac

TL;DR

This paper describes an upgrade to the scintillation-based loss detector system in Fermilab's Drift Tube Linac, enhancing signal processing, digitization, and remote operation to improve beam loss monitoring and linac performance assessment.

Contribution

The upgrade introduces advanced analog processing, digitization, and remote control features to the existing loss monitor system, enabling more accurate and reliable beam loss measurements.

Findings

Improved noise reduction in analog signal processing.

Successful digitization of detector signals for operational use.

Validated system performance under various beam conditions.

Abstract

The closed-off structure of the Fermilab Drift Tube Linac precludes a robust array of instrumentation from directly monitoring the H- beam that is accelerated from 750 keV to 116 MeV. To improve beam tuning and operational assessment of Drift Tube Linac performance, scintillator-based loss monitors were previously installed along the exterior of the first two accelerating cavities to assess low energy beam losses. Here we present a recent upgrade to the loss monitor system, including significant improvements in analog signal processing to address baseline-interfering noise; digitization of the signals to enable regular operational use and tuning; and a new remote operation upgrade of the translating loss monitor with precise positioning of the loss monitor along its nine-foot track. Data from the fixed and translating detectors collected under varying beam conditions validate the utility of the upgrade.