P.T. Spampinato

A High-Power Target Experiment

We describe an experiment designed as a proof-of-principle test for a target system capable of converting a 4-MW proton beam into a high-intensity muon beam suitable for incorporation into either a neutrino factory complex or a muon collider. The target system is based on exposing a free mercury jet to an intense proton beam in the presence of a high-strength solenoidal magnetic field.

An R&D program for targetry and capture at a neutrino factory and muon collider source

The need for intense muon beams for muon colliders and for neutrino factories based on muon storage rings leads to a concept of 1-4 MW proton beams incident on a moving target that is inside a 20-T solenoid magnet, with a mercury jet as a preferred example. Novel technical issues for such a system include disruption of the mercury jet by the proton beam and distortion of the jet on entering the solenoid, as well as more conventional issues of materials lifetime and handling of activated materials in an intense radiation environment. As part of the R&D program of the Neutrino Factory and Muon Collider Collaboration, an R&D eort related to

A high-power target experiment at the CERN PS

We test a target concept devised for the purpose of producing copious secondary pions and capturing the muon decay products. This experiment is designed to test the target system for a neutrino factory or muon collider and consists of a free flowing mercury stream embedded in a high-field solenoid. Key components are described.

Optical diagnostics of mercury jet for an intense proton target

An optical diagnostic system is designed and constructed for imaging a free mercury jet interacting with a high intensity proton beam in a pulsed high-field solenoid magnet. The optical imaging system employs a backilluminated, laser shadow photography technique. Object illumination and image capture are transmitted through radiation-hard multimode optical fibers and flexible coherent imaging fibers. A retroreflected illumination design allows the entire passive imaging system to fit inside the bore of the solenoid magnet. A sequence of synchronized short laser light pulses are used to freeze the transient events, and the images are recorded by several high speed charge coupled devices. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis using image processing based on probability approach is described. The characteristics of free mercury jet as a high power target for beam-jet interaction at various levels of the magnetic induction field is reported in this paper.

Systems testing of a free hg jet system for use in a high-power target experiment

The design and operational testing of a mercury jet delivery system is presented. The equipment is part of the Mercury Intense Target (MERIT) Experiment, which is a proof-of-principle experiment to be conducted at CERN in the summer of 2007 to determine the feasibility of using an unconstrained jet of mercury as a target in a Neutrino Factory or Muon Collider. The Hg system is capable of producing a 1 cm diameter, 20 m/s jet of Hg inside a high-field solenoid magnet. A high-speed optical diagnostic system allows observation of the interaction of the jet with a 24 GeV proton beam. Performance of the Hg system will be presented, along with results of integrated systems testing without a beam.

A Free-Jet Mercury System for Use in a High-Power Target Experiment

A proof-of-principle experiment to investigate the interaction of a proton beam, high magnetic field, and high-Z target is planned for testing at CERN in 2007. The experiment is a multi-laboratory, international endeavor underwritten by the Muon Collider Collaboration. A free-jet mercury target system that interacts with a high-power (1-MW) proton beam in a high magnetic field (15 T) is being designed. The mercury jet target is configured for insertion into the 15-cm-diameter bore of a high-field solenoid. The target features a hermetically sealed primary-containment volume that is enclosed in a secondary containment to ensure isolation of mercury vapors from the surrounding environment. The jet diameter is 1 cm, and the jet velocity will be up to 20 m/s. An optical diagnostic is incorporated into the target design to permit observation of the dispersal of the mercury as a result of interaction with a 24-GeV proton beam with up to 20 x 1012protons per pulse. The target system also includes titanium alloy beam windows for the primary and secondary containments.

Targets for high-intensity particle production

The high-powered target development efforts at ORNL for the Spallation Neutron Source and the muon collider/neutrino factory are discussed. Emphasis is given to the technology issues that present the greatest scientific challenges.

Design, Operations, and Safety Report for the MERIT Target System

The Mercury Intense Target Project (MERIT) is a proof-of-principal experiment to determine the feasibility of using a free-jet of Hg as a spallation target in a Neutrino Factory or a Muon Collider facility. The 1-cm-diameter, 20-m/sec jet will be generated inside a 15-Tesla magnetic field, and high-speed optical diagnostics will be used to photograph the interaction between the Hg jet and a 24-GeV proton beam.The experiment is scheduled to be conducted at CERN in 2007. ORNL is responsible for the design, fabrication, and testing of a system to deliver the Hg jet within the confines of the 15-cm magnet bore. This report documents the functional and safety requirements of the Hg system along with descriptions of its interfaces to the other experimental equipment.

Development of High Powered Target Systems for the Spallation Neutron Source and the Muon Collider/Neutrino Factory

The purpose and requirements of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the target area of the Muon Collider/Neutrino Factory are presented. Parts of the technologies that are being utilized to design these facilities are discussed. Emphasis is given to the technology issues that present the greatest scientific challenges.