Machine protection is essential in any accelerator facility, especially for high-intensity beams; as is the case for Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs). Events such as beam loss can lead to beam disturbance, noise signals or even damaged equipment and the associated downtime for repairs. This can result in significant economic impact due to replacing hardware and loss of beam availability. Two key challenges of machine protection in ERLs are beam loss monitoring with high spatial resolution and early detection of field emission as part of a wider quench protection system.
Conventional beam loss monitors (BLMs) obtain measurements at discrete locations along a beam line. This provides detailed loss information at the position of the monitor, but poor loss location resolution, which scales, along with the cost, with the number of units along the beam line. Previous work by a collaboration between the University of Liverpool, CERN, the Australian Synchrotron, and company D-Beam, has developed a prototype device known as optical-fibre beam loss monitor (oBLM). This system consists of an optical fibre running along the length of beam line, and a photo-sensor at each end of the fibre. When losses occur along the beam line, the shower of charged particles produced creates Cherenkov radiation as it traverses the fibre, which then propagates in both directions along the fibre. Through time-of-flight measurements, the position of the loss location along the beamline can be pinpointed with ∼10 cm accuracy, rather than 10s of metres for conventional BLMs. This continuous beam line coverage, low cost, and high loss location resolution, is in stark contrast to current diagnostic systems.
This PhD project will develop the oBLM technology further by optimizing the technology for ERL applications, including improving the electronics design, studying optimum fibre-detector combinations, determining signal levels through experiments and carrying out simulation studies into efficient monitor integration and on-device data processing. Furthermore, novel data analysis methodologies will be investigated, capitalizing on the expertise available within the LIV.DAT Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Science, this will include machine learning techniques, where machine parameters and the output of the oBLM will be used to train a model to recognize when a loss was about to occur, providing a means to avoid such an event.
As part of this project you will:
· Develop enhancements of this new technology and fully characterize the monitor through simulation and experiments;
· Test RF and SC applications of the oBLM at the CLARA facility on the campus of Daresbury Lab and/or at MAX IV in Sweden; you will also be given opportunities to contribute to prototyping the monitor with D-Beam.
· Investigate other novel applications of oBLM technology (e.g. novel accelerator diagnostics). You will disseminate your results through conferences, journal articles, and your thesis.
· Be trained in designing, manufacturing, installing, and operating an oBLM; you will also receive comprehensive training in data science, accelerator physics, electronics, CAD, and optics.
Subject to the usual funding approval, the studentship will cover home fees; a tax-free maintenance allowance at the standard UKRI level will be paid for 3.5 years.
For any enquiries please contact Prof Carsten P Welsch on: [Email Address Removed]
To apply for this opportunity, please visit: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/ and click on the 'Apply online' button. Please ensure you quote the following reference on your application: PPPR013 - A novel optical fibre analysis system for particle accelerators.
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