Optical Fibre Analysis System (OASYS)

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The OASYS project aims to produce commercially viable proof-of-concept results for two advanced machine protection applications of an existing optical fibre beam loss monitor (oBLM) device. An oBLM consists of a series of optical fibres run down the length of an accelerator structure (e.g. a beamline). When beam losses occur within the structure, showers of charged particles are produced. When these particles cross the optical fibres they produce Cherenkov radiation. This radiation propagates down the fibres and is detected by a Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) with specialised high-speed readout electronics. This signal provides time-of-flight information on the source loss point, allowing it to be located to within ~10 cm along the accelerator structure; a resolution unprecedented within existing loss monitoring technologies. This device has already been implemented at several international accelerator facilities in collaboration with D-Beam Ltd. The OASYS project aims to extend the functionality and applicability of this emerging technology.The two proposed oBLM-based applications are built upon slight variations on existing oBLM methodologies. The first, RF breakdown detection, has already been achieved with the oBLM at CLARA. OASYS will extend upon these preliminary results to provide verified proof-of-concept results benchmarked against existing technologies. The project will investigate improvements to fibre design, fibre placement and electronics design. The second methodology, superconducting quench detection, will require little alteration to the existing oBLM. OASYS will provide proof-of-concept results on this technique via investigations into fibre layout and signal analysis. The cohesion of significant experience in the use of the oBLM and two innovative concepts will provide a single commercially successful device. These techniques will be developed in an optics laboratory at first, before being implemented at accelerator facilities.The research project will also produce a machine learning-based analysis suite. This software will have the potential to perform automated machine optimisation and machine protection.A market for OASYS has already been assessed. Initially, the focus will be on supplying to synchrotron light sources (>50 facilities worldwide), as these are user-focused facilities and are continuously looking for innovative technologies to improve their user services. A further aim of this project is to prove the applicability of these technologies at linear accelerators. If this can be achieved it will open up the potential market to the 30,000+ linear accelerators worldwide. This would ensure the longevity of this technology. The market potential of any further applications identified during the project will also be assessed. These will be incorporated into the existing market analysis conducted on behalf of D-Beam and the proposer's group (Qi3, April 2019).The company D-Beam Ltd. will be involved throughout this project, helping to assess the requirements of producing commercial products from the research outcomes. The proposer also has pre-existing collaborations with further relevant companies, which will all provide support in specific areas throughout the project.The outcome of this project will be a commercially viable OASYS device for particle beam diagnostics, with a well-defined route-to-market and a long term plan for sustainability.