Integrated Beam Experiment
To maximize scientific productivity over the next several
years, the HIF-VNL is considering a next-step Integrated Beam
Experiment, called IBX. This experiment, which is
contingent on an increased budget, would build on the present
series of high-current experiments, including HCX, NTX , and several beam-injector experiments.
Together with parallel research on enabling accelerator
technologies, it would provide the science base needed for a
more-capable Integrated Reasearch Experiment (IRE),
anticipated around FY2007. The IBX would address
several high-priority HIF science questions:
- Determining what physics affects beam brightness and low-energy beam transport in heavy-ion sources.
- Studying the dynamical phenomena that affect the quality of intense beam during acceleratrion and transport.
- Understanding the role of nonlinear processes and beam-plasma interactions in focusing and chamber transport.
- Developing the diagnostic techniques and computer-modeling capability to support future experiments.
These issues are now being addressed through the separate
high-current experiments. The crucial role of the IBX
is to test experimentally the change in beam brightness from
source to target, and the project will be a major achievement
if it confirms that emittance does not grow significantly
when the beam is kept well-matched through each
section. Also, IBX will provide a well-diagnosed
experiment to follow at least one beam from injection through
acceleration, longitudinal drift-compression, and final
focus, with sufficient beam current to see any
interactions with the background gas or with secondary
electrons. Consequently, the experiment will be a
valuable check of our source-to-target computer-modeling
capability.
For comments or questions contact WMSharp@lbl.gov or DPGrote@lbl.gov. Work described here was supported by the Office of Fusion Energy at the US Department of Energy under contracts DE-AC03-76SF00098 and W-7405-ENG-48. This document was last revised June, 2002.