CERN, Geneva
The Large Hadron Collider beams are brought into collision by superconducting orbit corrector magnets which generate the parallel separation and crossing angles at the interaction points during the different cycle phases. Unfortunately, the magnetic field errors that result from hysteresis effects in the operation region of these magnets lead to unwanted orbit perturbations. In a previous paper, it has been shown that these effects are within the perturbations coming from beam-beam interactions for the MCBC and the MCBY magnets but are significant in the case of the MCBX magnets. This paper presents a refined model of their field in the frame of the Field Description for the LHC (FiDeL), the results obtained from new magnetic measurements in cold conditions to test the model, the powering mechanism employed to maximize their field reproducibility, and the impact the modeling error is predicted to have on the LHC orbit.
CERN, Geneva
Pre-cycles for setting up the main magnets of the Large Hadron Collider are necessary for ensuring field reproducibility and low field-decay rates at injection. In this paper we propose standard pre-cycles for the main magnets of the LHC. We study the influence of the pre-cycle parameters on the field decay at injection by two different models. One already proven model is semi-empirical based on magnetic measurements of the magnets. The other is a new network based model of a Rutherford cable which directly calculates the current redistribution and associated magnetization change in the cable strands. The pre-cycle to be used may depend on the history of the machine or may have to be changed because of unforeseen phenomena in the machine. The choice of a new pre-cycle on the basis of magnetic measurements alone is a lengthy process. We confirm the usefulness of the network based model as a tool for selecting new pre-cycles, including decay-blocking degaussing pre-cycles, and compare with magnetic measurements.
CERN, Geneva
The start-up of the LHC has provided the first field test for the concept, functionality and accuracy of FiDeL, the Field Description for the LHC. FiDeL is primarily a parametric model of the transfer function of the main field integrals generated by the series of magnets in the LHC powering circuits, from main optical elements to high-order harmonic correctors, both superconducting and normal-conducting magnets. In addition, the same framework is used to predict harmonic errors of both static and dynamic nature, and forecast appropriate corrections. In this paper we give a description of the level of detail achieved in the model and the rationale adopted for the LHC start-up. Beam-based measurements have been used for an assessment of the first-shot accuracy in the prediction of the current setting for the main arc magnets*.
*The work reported has been performed by the authors and the FiDeL Team
CERN, Geneva
Following a series of injection tests, the first attempts to pass beam around both directions of the LHC were successful and led rapidly to circulating beam in the counter clockwise direction (beam 2) and many turns of beam 1. Unfortunately the beam commissioning was curtailed by the incident in sector 34. However, measurements performed during this first commissioning period should that the magnet model of the machine had delivered optics close to nominal, and also very good performance of beam instrumentation and supporting software. Details of the machine set-up and the commissioning procedures are detailed. The measurements performed and the key results from this period are described.
CERN, Geneva
A series of LHC injection tests was performed in August and September 2008. The first saw beam injected into sector 23; the second into sectors 78 and 23; the third into sectors 78-67 and sectors 23-34-45. The fourth, into sectors 23-34-45, was performed the evening before the extended injection test on the 10th September which saw both beams brought around the full circumference of the LHC. The tests enabled the testing and debugging of a number of critical control and hardware systems; testing and validation of instrumentation with beam for the first time; deployment, and validation of a number of measurement procedures. Beam based measurements revealed a number of machine configuration issues that were rapidly resolved. The tests were undoubtedly an essential precursor to the successful start of LHC beam commissioning. This paper provides an outline of preparation for the tests, the machine configuration and summarizes the measurements made and individual system performance.
