Speaker
Description
Historically, mixed ion beams have been generated - often involuntarily - from a single ion source and simultaneously injected into a synchrotron. As it turns out, this approach is limited by 1) the injector hardware, such as e.g. the ion sources, LINAC cavities, and magnets that might not be able to accommodate the required charge-to-mass ratios (q/m), 2) the ion sources that potentially cannot produce the desired charge states, and 3) the requirement that both ions need to exhibit nearly-identical q/m.
An alternative approach to generating mixed ion beams is to sequentially inject the different ion species into the synchrotron. This enables the injection of ions with different q/m, that can or cannot be stripped to almost-identical q/m after pre-acceleration in the LINAC. Naturally, this sequential injection process significantly prolongs the cycle duration.
Currently, sequential multiturn injection schemes have been employed to generate a mixed helium and carbon ion beam in the MedAustron synchrotron (limited injector hardware), and to inject and accelerate a mixed bismuth and iron beam (different q/m) in SIS18 at GSI.
This talk aims to provide an overview of the acquired experience using sequential injection schemes at MedAustron and GSI, as well as highlighting advantages/disadvantages and challenges associated with sequential injection schemes. Moreover, measures to minimize the cycle prolongation are investigated and discussed, on a general basis as well as using the specific examples of SIS18 and the MedAustron synchrotron.
Funding Agency
RTI-Strategy Lower Austria 2027 Grant Nr. FTI23-D-031