Speaker
Description
Muon colliders are one of the next-generation accelerators being proposed for the future of particle physics but their development faces limitations throughout the system, with new innovations required to achieve the desired performance. The focus here is on the target system which needs to withstand multi-MW pulsed proton beams in order to produce the muons through pion decay. Because of this, the target system must have long-term reliability while being able to provide the required particle yield, with performance depending on factors such as its capability to sustain high thermal and radiation loads.
Several target concepts have been proposed for the facility, including graphite, liquid-metal jets, and, in this case, a tungsten powder jet. The tungsten-powder option is desirable for a 2 - 4 MW scenario, as it combines tungsten's high density and melting point, allowing it to survive in the intense beam environment. The granular nature provides improved thermal dissipation, reduced cavitation, and enables self-replenishing behaviour. The aim of the study is to optimise the pion-to-muon production yields and investigate radiation-induced heat loads for the novel tungsten powder target system using simulation software such as FLUKA, Geant4 and BDSIM, which will help determine the optimal target design for use within the collider.