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An Automatic Beam-Based System for Analyzing Accelerator Misalignment Problems--Sandia View Software, Inc., 613 Sandia View Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107; 505-345-4147
Dr. Carl R. Stern, Principal Investigator
Dr. Carl R. Stern, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82876
Amount: $99,979
Misalignment is one of the last remaining processes in accelerator commissioning that remains to be automated. Misalignment is especially critical in the commissioning and operation of large complex accelerators such as the Next Linear Collider (NLC) because of its time consuming nature and its impact on accelerator performance. This project will develop a system to automate the analysis of misalignment problems and the establishment of an accurate central trajectory. An optics model will be used to identify those regions of an accelerator that are well aligned. These regions will define local reference trajectories that will anchor the analysis of misalignments in surrounding regions. Phase I will develop prototypes and test several beam-based misalignment analysis algorithms. These will include a quad scanning algorithm as well as an algorithm based on local reference trajectories. A system that automates misalignment analysis by integrating several misalignment analysis algorithms will be designed and its feasibility demonstrated.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A tool for the automated analysis of alignment errors in the NLC during commissioning and operations should provide large savings in time and expense and could also yield improvements in operational performance. A commercial version of this system should provide the same benefits to accelerator facilities worldwide.