Daniel Winklehner

A high intensity H2+ multicusp ion source for the isotope decay-at-rest experiment, IsoDAR

The Isotope Decay-At-Rest (IsoDAR) experimental program aims to decisively test the sterile neutrino hypothesis. In essence, it is a novel cyclotron based neutrino factory that will improve the frontiers in both high-intensity cyclotrons and electron flavor anti-neutrino sources. By using a source in which the usual H(-) ions are replaced with the more tightly bound H2(+) ions, we can negate the effects of Lorentz stripping in a cyclotron, reduce the overall perveance due to the space-charge effect, and deliver twice the number of protons per nuclei on target. To produce the H2(+), we are currently developing a dedicated multicusp ion source, MIST-1 (generation-1 Multicusp Ion Source Technologies at MIT), and a low-energy beam transport system for the IsoDAR cyclotron. This will increase the overall H2(+) current leading up to the cyclotron and improve the emittance of the beam injected into the cyclotron.

Characterization of the Catania VIS for H2+a)

The Catania VIS 2.46 GHz source has been installed on a test stand at the Best Cyclotron Systems, in Vancouver, Canada, as part of the DAEδALUS and IsoDAR R&D program. Studies to date include optimization for H2 (+)/p ratio and emittance measurements. Inflection, capture, and acceleration tests will be conducted when a small test cyclotron is completed.

The IsoDAR high intensity H2+ transport and injection tests

This technical report reviews the tests performed at the Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc. facility in regards to developing a cost effective ion source, beam line transport system, and acceleration system capable of high H2+ current output for the IsoDAR (Isotope Decay At Rest) experiment. We begin by outlining the requirements for the IsoDAR experiment then provide overviews of the Versatile Ion Source (VIS), Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) system, spiral inflector, and cyclotron. The experimental measurements are then discussed and the results are compared with a thorough set of simulation studies. Of particular importance we note that the VIS proved to be a reliable ion source capable of generating a large amount of H2+ current. The results suggest that with further upgrades, the VIS could potentially be a suitable candidate for IsoDAR. The conclusion outlines the key results from our tests and introduces the forthcoming work this technical report has motivated.

Preliminary design of a RFQ direct injection scheme for the IsoDAR high intensity H2+ cyclotron

IsoDAR (Isotope Decay-At-Rest) is a novel experiment designed to measure neutrino oscillations through ν̄(e) disappearance, thus providing a definitive search for sterile neutrinos. In order to generate the necessary anti-neutrino flux, a high intensity primary proton beam is needed. In IsoDAR, H2(+) is accelerated and is stripped into protons just before the target, to overcome space charge issues at injection. As part of the design, we have refined an old proposal to use a RFQ to axially inject bunched H2(+) ions into the driver cyclotron. This method has several advantages over a classical low energy beam transport (LEBT) design: (1) The bunching efficiency is higher than for the previously considered two-gap buncher and thus the overall injection efficiency is higher. This relaxes the constraints on the H2(+) current required from the ion source. (2) The overall length of the LEBT can be reduced. (3) The RFQ can also accelerate the ions. This enables the ion source platform high voltage to be reduced from 70 kV to 15 kV, making underground installation easier. We are presenting the preliminary RFQ design parameters and first beam dynamics simulations from the ion source to the spiral inflector entrance.

A space charge compensation model for positive DC ion beams

In this paper, we revisit and extend a formula to predict the compensation of space charge in positive DC ion beams of non-relativistic energy, as they are for example found in the injector beam lines of heavy ion accelerator facilities.The original formula was presented in 1975 by Igor Gabovich et al. and takes into account the de-compensation through Coulomb collisions of the primary beam ions and the compensating electrons. We extend its usability to arbitrary (positive) charge states of the ions and non-quasineutral beams.The resulting formula compares well with measurements using a retarding field analyzer and a multi-species generalization of it was incorporated into beam transport simulations using the particle-in-cell code WARP.

The front-end of IsoDAR

The Isotope Decay-At-Rest (IsoDAR) experiment is a cyclotron based neutrino oscillation experiment that is capable of decisively searching for low-mass sterile neutrinos. This paper outlines two new approaches that the IsoDAR collaboration are pursuing in order to increase the amount of

Realistic simulations of a cyclotron spiral inflector within a particle-in-cell framework

H_2^+

IsoDAR@KamLAND: A Conceptual Design Report for the Technical Facility

captured in the cyclotron through innovations in the design of the front-end. A new dedicated multicusp ion source (MIST-1) is currently being commissioned and tested at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) at MIT. Based on previous results from this type of ion source, we expect to be able to achieve an

An RFQ Direct Injection Scheme for the IsoDAR High Intensity

H_2^+

\mathrm{H}_2^+

current density that will be sufficient for the IsoDAR experiment. We also discuss the results of a new investigation into using a radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) as a high-efficiency buncher to improve the injection efficiency into the cyclotron.