AGS Super Neutrino Beam Facility Accelerator and Target System Design (Neutrino Working Group Report-II)

TL;DR

This paper presents the conceptual design and performance requirements for the accelerator and target systems of the AGS Super Neutrino Beam Facility, aiming to produce a 1 MW neutrino beam for long baseline neutrino experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed design of the accelerator and target systems, including a new superconducting linac and target station, for the 1 MW neutrino beam production at BNL.

Findings

Design specifications for 1.2 GeV superconducting linac and target station.

Strategies for beam loss management and safety measures.

Cost estimate and schedule for facility upgrade.

Abstract

This document describes the design of the accelerator and target systems for the AGS Super Neutrino Beam Facility. Under the direction of the Associate Laboratory Director Tom Kirk, BNL has established a Neutrino Working Group to explore the scientific case and facility requirements for a very long baseline neutrino experiment. Results of a study of the physics merit and detector performance was published in BNL-69395 in October 2002, where it was shown that a wide-band neutrino beam generated by a 1 MW proton beam from the AGS, coupled with a half megaton water Cerenkov detector located deep underground in the former Homestake mine in South Dakota would be able to measure the complete set of neutrino oscillation parameters. This report details the performance requirements and conceptual design of the accelerator and the target systems for the production of a neutrino beam by a 1.0 MW proton beam from the AGS. The major components of this facility include a new 1.2 GeV superconducting linac, ramping the AGS at 2.5 Hz, and the new target station for 1.0 MW beam. It also calls for moderate increase, about 30%, of the AGS intensity per pulse. Special care is taken to account for all sources of proton beam loss plus shielding and collimation of stray beam halo particles to ensure equipment reliability and personal safety. A preliminary cost estimate and schedule for the accelerator upgrade and target system are also included.