Evidence of a halo formation mechanism in the Spallation Neutron Source linac

Abstract

A new halo formation mechanism and its mitigation scheme are verified experimentally through a series of emittance measurements performed during the drift tube linac tank 1 commissioning of the Spallation Neutron Source. This is a rare experiment evidence of a halo formation mechanism. As the simulation predicts, the emittance measurements clearly show a visible halo reduction as well as a significant rms emittance reduction when the proposed round beam optics is employed. The emittance measurement results are consistent with multiparticle simulations and also consistent with wire scanner results. These measurements serve as a valuable code benchmarking for a beam under an intense space charge effect. © 2013 American Physical Society.