Linac Achieves Highest Proton Beam Energy in U.S.
It seems that nearly every week brings news of another significant milestone in the development of the NAL accelerator system.
At 1:50 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, the Linear Accelerator Section staff recorded still another major triumph in its continuing record of achievements. At that time, a proton beam in the Linac was accelerated to 66 Million Electron Volts (MeV). It was the highest energy yet achieved at NAL --- and, more notably, it was the highest energy ever achieved in a proton linear accelerator in the United States.
Only the Linear Accelerator at Serpukhov, near Moscow, in the Soviet Union, has a proton beam with energy higher than that at NAL. It has achieved 100 MeV.
Donald Young, Linac section leader, said that the NAL beam was accelerated through the first three linac tanks, which NAL and contractor staff have been busily installing in recent weeks. Principal contractors aiding the NAL staff were Borg, Inc., pipe-fitters, and A.S. Schulman Electric Co.
"Physicist Cy Curtis has coordinated the operation. However, it is important to note that every one in the Linac section was in on this effort," said Young.
Measurements of the beam properties are now in progress by the Linac Section staff -- that is, they are analyzing the emittance, energy, amplification of phase and amplitude of cavity voltages.
An informal observance of the event was held in the Linac building on the Main Site.
Sometime in early October, the Linac Section will seek another record. The objective then will be a 139 MeV beam. This beam will be achieved by the linkage of six tanks in the Linear Accelerator enclosure. If successful, NAL then will have a higher energy beam than any other proton linear accelerator in the world.
At present, the first three tanks and radio frequency systems of the Linac are complete. In addition, drift-tube alignment is almost complete in tank number five. All sections for tanks 6, 7 and 8 have been delivered and the last sections for the last tank (number 9) will be delivered shortly. Work also is proceeding on schedule on installation of the remaining RF systems for the Linac.
