Search

The Advanced Proton Driven Plasma Wakefield Experiment (AWAKE) at CERN uses 6 cm long proton bunches extracted from the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) at 400 GeV beam energy to drive high gradient plasma wakefields for the acceleration of electron bunches to 2 GeV within a 10 m length. Knowledge and control of the position of both copropagating beams is crucial for the operation of the experiment. Whilst the current electron beam position monitoring system at AWAKE can be used in the absence of the proton beam, the proton bunch signal dominates when both particle bunches are present simultaneously. A new technique based on the generation of Cherenkov diffraction radiation (ChDR) in a dielectric material placed in close proximity to the particle beam has been designed to exploit the large bunch length difference of the particle beams at AWAKE, 200 ps for protons versus a few ps for electrons, such that the electron signal dominates. Hence, this technique would allow for the position measurement of a short electron bunch in the presence of a more intense but longer proton bunch. The design considerations, numerical analysis and plans for tests at the CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) facility are presented., Proceedings of the 13th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2022, Bangkok, Thailand

Very High Energy Electrons (VHEE) of 50 - 250 MeV are an attractive choice for FLASH radiation therapy (RT). Before VHEE-FLASH RT can be considered for clinical use, a reliable dosimetric and beam monitoring system needs to be developed, able to measure the dose delivered to the patient in real-time and cut off the beam in the event of a machine fault to prevent overdosing the patient. Ionisation chambers are the standard monitors in conventional RT; however, their response saturates at the high dose rates required for FLASH. Therefore, a new dosimetry method is needed that can provide reliable measurements of the delivered dose in these conditions. Experiments using 200 MeV electrons were done at the CLEAR facility at CERN to investigate the properties of detectors such as diamond beam loss detectors, GEM foil detectors, and Timepix3 ASIC chips. From the tests, the GEM foil proved to be the most promising., Proceedings of the 13th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2022, Bangkok, Thailand

A prototype of a Beam Loss Monitor based on the detection of Cherenkov light in optical fibres is being developed to measure beam losses in the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. Several testing campaigns have been planned to benchmark the simulations of the system and test the electronics in the CLEAR facility at CERN. During the first campaigns, the emission of Cherenkov light inside optical fibres and the photodetector characterisation were studied. Fibre-based Beam Loss monitors continuously monitor beam losses over long distances. The localisation of the beam loss could be calculated from the timing of the signals generated by the photosensors coupled at both ends of the optical fibre. The experimental results of an optical fibre Beam Loss Monitor installed in the CLEAR facility are reported in this paper., Proceedings of the 13th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2022, Bangkok, Thailand

The CERN Linear Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) at CERN is a test facility using a 200 MeV electron beam. In 2020 and 2021, a few hardware upgrades were done: comparators for position measurements were added on components, the in-air experimental area was re-arranged in order to provide more space, a robotic system was built to enable remote samples manipulations for irradiation studies, the BPM reading system was optimized and the laser double-bunch system implemented to allow for a doubling of the electron bunch frequency from 1.5 GHz to 3 GHz. In the paper, we describe such improvements, we outline the experimental activities during 2021 and illustrate the diverse program for the next 4 years, including high doses’ irradiation studies for medical applications., Proceedings of the 13th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2022, Bangkok, Thailand

Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) diamond detectors have been tested during the Run 2 operation period (2015-2018) as fast beam loss monitors for the Beam Loss Monitoring (BLM) system of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. However, the lack of raw data recorded during this operation period restrains our ability to perform a deep analysis of their signals. For this reason, a test campaign was carried out at the CLEAR beam test facility at CERN with the aim of studying the linearity and response time of the diamond detectors against losses from electron beams of different intensities. The signal build-up from multi-bunched electron beams was also analyzed. The conditions and procedures of the test campaign are explained, as well as the most significant results obtained., Proceedings of the 13th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2022, Bangkok, Thailand

The interest for Very High Energy Electron (VHEE) radiotherapy (RT) for cancer treatment recently bloomed, given the present availability of high-gradient accelerator technology for compact, cost effective electron linacs in the 100-200 MeV energy range. Particularly promising is the so called FLASH high dose rate regime, in which cancer cells are damaged while healthy tissue is largely spared. VHEE beams are especially adapted for FLASH RT, given their penetration depth and the high beam current, needed to treat large deep seated tumors. In the CERN Linear Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) facility, a series of unique studies have been initiated on VHEE and FLASH RT issues, in collaboration with several multidisciplinary user groups. In this paper we briefly outline the activities and its main recent results, e.g. on localized dose deposition by beam focusing, and on chemical and biological test to clarify damage mechanisms. We then describe in details the dedicated systems and the techniques adopted - and in large part locally developed by the CLEAR team - in order to satisfy the user requirements, with particular attention to the crucial aspect of high dose rate dosimetry., Proceedings of the 31st International Linear Accelerator Conference, LINAC2022, Liverpool, UK

The 200 MeV electron beam of the CERN Linear Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) user facility at CERN has been intensively used to study the potential use of Very High Energy Electrons (VHEE) in cancer radiotherapy. In particular, irradiation tests have been performed in the high dose rate regime, which has gained a lot of interest for the so called FLASH biological effect, in which cancer cells are damaged while healthy tissue is largely spared. High dose rate dosimetry, though, poses a number of challenges: to validate standard or new methods of passive dosimetry, like radiochromic films and alanine pellets, and especially to develop new methods for real-time dosimetry since the normally used ionization chambers suffer from non-linear effects at high dose rates. In this paper we describe the results of experimental activities at CLEAR aimed at developing solid, high-dose rate dosimetry standards adapted to VHEE beams., Proceedings of the 13th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2022, Bangkok, Thailand

The AWAKE experiment studies the acceleration of electrons to multi-GeV levels driven by the plasma wakefield generated by an ultra-relativistic and high intensity proton bunch. The proton beam, being considerably more intense than the co-propagating electron bunch, perturbs the measurement of the electron beam position achieved via standard techniques. This contribution shows that the electrons position monitoring is possible by frequency discrimination, exploiting the large bunch length difference between the electron and proton beams. Simulations and a beam measurement hint, the measurement has to be carried out in a frequency regime of a few tens of GHz, which is far beyond the spectrum produced by the 1ns long (4 �� Gaussian) proton bunch. As operating a conventional Beam Position Monitor (BPM) in this frequency range is problematic, an innovative approach based on the emission of coherent Cherenkov Diffraction Radiation (ChDR) in dielectrics is being studied. After describing the monitor concept and design, we will report about the results achieved with a prototype system at the CERN electron facility CLEAR., Proceedings of the 10th International Beam Instrumentation Conference, IBIC2021, Pohang, Rep. of Korea

The CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) at CERN has been operating since 2017 as a dedicated user facility providing beams for a varied range of experiments. CLEAR consists of a 20 m long linear accelerator (linac), able to produce beams from a Cs₂Te photocathode and accelerate them to energies of between 60 MeV and 220 MeV. Following the linac, an experimental beamline is located, in which irradiation tests, wakefield and impedances tudies, plasma lens experiments, beam diagnostics development, and terahertz (THz) emission studies, are performed. In this paper, we present recent upgrades to the entire beamline, as well as the design of future upgrades, such as a dogleg section connecting to an additional proposed experimental beamline. The gain in performance due to these upgrades is presented with a full range of available beam properties documented., Proceedings of the 12th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2021, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Despite the increase in interest in using Very High Energy Electron (VHEE) beams for cancer radiotherapy many unanswered questions in its development remain. The use of test facilities will be an essential tool used to solve these issues. The 200 MeV electron beam from the CERN Linear Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) has been used extensively, in collaboration with several research institutes, to perform dosimetry studies and explore potential applications of VHEE beams to radiotherapy, including the exploitation of the so called FLASH effect. In this paper, we present an overview of past studies with emphasis on the more recent results. We describe methods, techniques and equipment developed at CERN in this framework, and give an outlook on future activities., Proceedings of the 12th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2021, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Beam Loss Monitors are fundamental diagnostic systems in particle accelerators. Beam losses are measured by a wide range of detectors with excellent results; most of these devices are used to measure local beam losses. However, in some accelerators there is the need to measure beam losses continuously localized over longer distances i.e., several tens of meters. For this reason, a beam loss detector based on long optical fibres is now under study. As part of the design, several simulations, comparing different possible detection scenarios, have been performed in FLUKA and bench-marked with experimental data. An experimental campaign was performed with an electron beam in the CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) in November 2020. The light emitted from the optical fibre was captured using Silicon Photo-Multipliers (SiPM) coupled at each fibre’s end. In this poster, the first results of a beam loss detector based on the capture of Cherenkov photons generated by charged particles inside multimode silica fibres are presented., Proceedings of the 12th International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC2021, Campinas, SP, Brazil

In High Energy Physics experiments it is a common practice to expose electronic components and systems to particle beams, in order to assess their level of radiation tolerance when operating in a radiation environment. One of the facilities used for such tests is the Proton Irradiation Facility (IRRAD) at CERN. In order to properly control the 24 GeV/c proton beam, Beam Profile Monitor (BPM) devices are used. The current BPMs are fabricated as standard flexible PCBs featuring a matrix of metallic sensing pads. When exposed to the beam, secondary electrons are emitted from each pad, thus generating a charge proportional to the particle flux. The charge is measured individually for each pad using a dedicated readout system, and so the beam shape, position and intensity are obtained. The beam profile determination with this technique requires thus the usage of non-invasive and radiation tolerant sensing elements. This study proposes a new fabrication method using microfabrication techniques in order to improve the BPMs performance while greatly reducing the device thickness, thus making them also appropriate for the monitoring of lower energy and intensity particle beams., Proceedings of the 9th International Beam Instrumentation Conference, IBIC2020, Santos, Brazil

The CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) has now finished its second year of operation, providing a testbed for new accelerator technologies and a versatile radiation source. Hosting a varied experimental program, this beamline provides a flexible test facility for users both internal and external to CERN, as well as being an excellent accelerator physics training ground. The energy can be varied between 60 and 220 MeV, bunch length between 1 and 4 ps, bunch charge in the range 10 pC to 2 nC, and number of bunches in the range 1 to 200, at a repetition rate of 0.8 to 10 Hz. The status of the facility with an overview of the recent experimental results is presented., Proceedings of the 10th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2019, Melbourne, Australia

In this paper, possible mechanisms by which electrons can induce single-event latchups in electronics are discussed. The energy deposition and the nuclear fragments created by electrons in silicon are analyzed in this context. The cross section enhancement effect in the presence of high-Z materials is discussed. First experimental results of electron-induced latchups are shown in static random access memory devices with low linear energy transfer thresholds. The radiation hardness assurance implications and future work are discussed. peerReviewed

Here we investigate how inserts of various densities (0.001-2.2 g/cm³) affect the dose distribution properties of VHEE beams at ~150 MeV. A range variation comparison was also made with clinical proton beams using TOPAS/GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations. In addition, we assess the viability of scattering foils for optimizing the size of VHEE beams for radiotherapy purposes. The experiments were conducted at CERN's CLEAR user facility., Proceedings of the 9th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2018, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The new "CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research" (CLEAR) facility at CERN started its operation in fall 2017. CLEAR results from the conversion of the CALIFES beam line of the former CLIC Test Facility (CTF3) into a new testbed for general accelerator R&D and component studies for existing and possible future accelerator applications. CLEAR can provide a stable and reliable electron beam from 60 to 220 MeV in single or multi bunch configuration at 1.5 GHz. The experimental program includes studies for high gradient acceleration methods, e.g. for CLIC X-band and plasma technology, prototyping and validation of accelerator components, e.g. for the HL-LHC upgrade, and irradiation test capabilities for characterization of electronic components and for medical applications. An overview of the facility capabilities and a summary of the latest results will be presented., Proceedings of the 9th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2018, Vancouver, BC, Canada

A new CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (named CLEAR) has been installed as a general-purpose user facility to study novel accelerating techniques, high-gradient structures, instrumentation and irradiation experiments. CLEAR is a flexible accelerator that can provide high quality bunched electron beams with a wide range of beam parameters up to an energy of 220 MeV, offering several testing capabilities. Among all the potential applications, novel accelerating techniques, such as plasma acceleration and THz generation are considered. These applications require shorter bunches, down to the 100 fs level. This paper reports on beam dynamics studies and instrumentation tests to establish a bunch length of this order in CLEAR. The short bunches are generated using adiabatic bunching in the first accelerating structure. For bunch length diagnostic CLEAR is equipped with a streak camera and a transverse deflecting cavity. Alternatively a phase-scan of the last accelerating structure could be used as well to estimate the bunch length. The experimental results with respect to these different techniques are presented and compared with simulations., Proceedings of the 29\textsuperscript{th} Linear Accelerator Conf., LINAC2018, Beijing, China

In this paper, we perform an in-depth analysis of the single-event effects observed during testing at medical electron linacs and an experimental high-energy electron linac. For electron irradiations, the medical linacs are most commonly used due to their availability and flexibility. Whereas previous efforts were made to characterize the cross sections at higher energies, where the nuclear interaction cross section is higher, the focus of this paper is on the complete overview of relevant electron energies. Irradiations at an electron linac were made with two different devices, with a large difference in feature size. The irradiations at an experimental linac were performed with varying energies and intensities to omit other possible effects. peerReviewed

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) uses normal-conducting accelerating structures that are sensitive to wakefield effects and therefore their alignment is extremely important. Due to the four-fold symmetry of the structures, they allow for an octupole component of the rf fields. By scanning the beam transversely we can determine the center of the structures from the shifts in beam position due to the kicks from the octupole field. We present some initial results from measurements at the CLIC test facility 3 at CERN., Proceedings of the 8th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2017, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) accelerating structures have a four-fold symmetry from the radial waveguides for damping higher order modes. This symmetry allows for an octupole component of the rf fields to co-propagate with the main accelerating field. The effect of this octupole mode has been observed at the CLIC test facility 3. In CLIC the accelerating structures are mounted together on a moveable girders. There are four vertical and four horizontal actuators on the girder, which allows for 5D control in a limited range and for instance we can roll the girder. By observing the beam shape perturbed by the octupole field on a screen downstream from the structure we can determine the roll angle and thus align the structure azimuthally. Here we discuss a possible method and show some preliminary results., Proceedings of the 8th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2017, Copenhagen, Denmark

For the very low emittance beams in CLIC, it is vital to mitigate emittance growth which leads to reduced luminosity in the detectors. One factor that leads to emittance growth is transverse wakefields in the accelerating structures. In order to combat this the structures must be aligned with a precision of a few um. For achieving this tolerance, accelerating structures are equipped with wakefield monitors that measure higher-order dipole modes excited by the beam when offset from the structure axis. We report on such measurements, performed using prototype CLIC accelerating structures which are part of the module installed in the CLIC Test Facility 3 (CTF3) at CERN. Measurements with and without the drive beam that feeds rf power to the structures are compared. Improvements to the experimental setup are discussed, and finally remaining measurements that should be performed before the completion of the program are summarized., Proceedings of the 7th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2016, Busan, Korea

Beam loss monitoring systems based on optical fibres (oBLM), have been under consideration for future colliders for several years. To distinguish losses between consecutive quadrupoles, a position resolution of less than 1 m is required. A resolution of better than 0.5 m has been achieved in machines with single, nanosecond long pulses. For longer beam pulses, such as the ~150 ns CLIC pulse, the longitudinal length of signals in the fibre is close to the duration of the beam pulse itself which makes loss reconstruction very challenging. In this contribution, results from experiments into the position resolution of an oBLM based on long beam pulses are presented. These measurements have been performed at the CLIC Test Facility (CTF3) and the Australian Synchrotron Light Source (ASLS). In CTF3, controlled beam losses were created at different quadrupoles in the 28 m long decelerating Test Beam Line (TBL) LINAC by altering the current supplied or misaligning them. In ASLS the flexibility of the facility allowed the location of beam losses generated by single bunches to be studied as well as losses for longer bunch trains up to 600 ns in duration., Proceedings of the 4th International Beam Instrumentation Conference, IBIC2015, Melbourne, Australia

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is a proposal for a future linear e⁺-e⁻ accelerator that can reach 3 TeV centre of mass energy. It is based on a two-beam acceleration scheme, with two accelerators operating in parallel. One of the main CLIC elements is a 2 m long two-beam module where power from a high intensity, low energy drive beam is extracted through Power Extraction and Transfer Structures (PETS) and transferred as RF power for the acceleration of the low intensity, high energy main beam. One of the main potential limitations for a Beam Loss Monitoring (BLM) system in a two-beam accelerator is so-called 'crosstalk', i.e. signals generated by losses in one beam, but detected by a monitor protecting the other beam. This contribution presents results from comprehensive studies into crosstalk that have been performed at a two-beam module at the CLIC Test Facility (CTF3) at CERN. The capability of estimating the origin of losses for different scenarios is also discussed., Proceedings of the 4th International Beam Instrumentation Conference, IBIC2015, Melbourne, Australia

The design of a potential CLIC beam loss monitoring (BLM) system presents multiple challenges. To successfully cover the 48 km of beamline, ionisation chambers and optical fibre BLMs are under investigation. The former fulfils all CLIC requirements but would need more than 40000 monitors to protect the whole facility. For the latter, the capability of reconstructing the original loss position with a multi-bunch beam pulse and multiple loss locations still needs to be quantified. Two main sources of background for beam loss measurements are identified for CLIC. The two-beam accelerator scheme introduces so-called crosstalk, i.e. detection of losses originating in one beam line by the monitors protecting the other. Moreover, electrons emitted from the inner surface of RF cavities and boosted by the high RF gradients may produce signals in neighbouring BLMs, limiting their ability to detect real beam losses. This contribution presents the results of dedicated experiments performed in the CLIC Test Facility to quantify the position resolution of optical fibre BLMs in a multi-bunch, multi-loss scenario as well as the sensitivity limitations due to crosstalk and electron field emission., Proceedings of the 7th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2016, Busan, Korea