U.S. Particle Accelerator School
Cyclotrons course
Sponsoring University:
Rutgers University
Course:
Cyclotrons
Instructor:
Timothy Koeth, Brian Beaudoin and Kiersten Ruisard, University of Maryland; Timothy Ponter, Ion Beam Applications
Purpose and Audience
Cyclotrons are versatile accelerators whose use, because of an unsurpassed economic footprint, continues to expand in basic research, industry, medicine, and education. This course provides students with an introduction to fundamental beam physics as well as the technology of cyclotrons, their design, commissioning, and operation. The level is suitable for graduate students and senior undergraduate students in physics and engineering as well as those associated with cyclotron operations.
Prerequisites
General knowledge in college physics including electricity and magnetism and classical mechanics. USPAS undergraduate course "Fundamentals of Accelerator Physics & Technology" or equivalent experience required.
This class will be limited to 12 students. Preference will be given to participants who take the course for a grade. A resume/CV and cover letter explaining why this course is important to your career are required.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet the course prerequisites or have equivalent experience.
Objectives
During the lectures, students will learn the theory and tools necessary to design and operate a cyclotron. On completion of the course students are expected to understand the physical principles of modern cyclotrons, describe the technology of all major cyclotron subsystems, and be able to guide a cyclotron design.
Instructional Method
This course will be comprised of morning lectures and alternating afternoon cyclotron experiments and corresponding simulations. The lectures will cover cyclotron fundamentals, which will incorporate real life examples taken from operational accelerators. The afternoon experiments will be performed with the Rutgers’ 12-Inch Cyclotron and simulations will utilize SIMION and MatLab. Daily problem sets will be assigned and should be completed outside of scheduled class sessions. At least two instructors will be available at all times.
Course Content
This course will cover theoretical and practical aspects of cyclotrons, their design, and operation. This includes magnetic resonance [cyclotron] acceleration; ion sources, weak and Azimuthally Varying Field (AVF) beam focusing, and beam extraction methods. Conventional and superconducting magnets and the measurements necessary for their design verification will be covered. We will also include relevant technology of cyclotron radio frequency and vacuum systems. Limitations will also be discussed, such as resonances and space charge. Students will receive guidance and hands on experience operating and performing experiments on the Rutgers’ 12-Inch Cyclotron.
Reading Requirements
(To be provided by the USPAS) "Principles of Cyclic Particle Accelerators" (Van Nostrand, NJ, 1961) by John Jacob Livingood. Additional material will be provided by the instructors.
Credit Requirements:
Students will be evaluated based on performance: final project (approximately 34% of grade) homework assignments (approximately 33% of grade), daily experiment/simulations (approximately 33% of grade).
Rutgers University course number 01:750:642 Cyclotrons
IU/USPAS course number: P570