Cherenkov Radiation in Optical Fibres as a Versatile Machine Protection System in Particle Accelerators

Area of Science:

• Particle accelerator physics
• Optical physics
• Instrumentation and measurement

Background:

• Machine protection systems are vital for high-power particle accelerators to prevent damage and downtime.
• Current systems are often resource-intensive, reactive, and limit machine performance by covering only specific operational modes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new, complementary machine protection system utilizing optical fibers.
• To demonstrate the system's ability to enhance existing accelerator performance and safety.

Main Methods:

• Optical fibers (∼100 m lengths) are installed along accelerator beam lines.
• Relativistic particles passing through the fibers generate detectable Cherenkov radiation.
• A calibration-based technique precisely locates the radiation source along the fiber.

Main Results:

• The system accurately pinpoints Cherenkov radiation sources to within 0.5 m, with a 1 m resolution.
• Proof of concept established for beam loss location monitoring and radio frequency (RF) breakdown detection.
• The single-device measurement mechanism has multiple accelerator facility applications.

Conclusions:

• The optical fiber system offers a cost-effective and efficient method for machine protection.
• It provides continuous monitoring and early detection capabilities, complementing existing systems.
• Future innovation is needed to address current challenges for broader implementation.