Accelerator Physics

Sponsoring University:

Michigan State University (ONLINE)

Course Name:

Accelerator Physics

Instructors:

Yue Hao, Michigan State University; Yichao Jing, Brookhaven National Lab and Stony Brook University; Tianhuan Luo, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

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Purpose and Audience

The purpose of this course is to give a broad theoretical foundation to the physics and technology of charged particle accelerators. This course is suitable for graduate students from physics and engineering who are interested in accelerators as part of their research or career goals, or scientists and engineers who want more detail on the physics of accelerator systems.

Prerequisites
Electromagnetism and Classical Mechanics including special relativity and the Hamiltonian formulation of dynamics at the senior undergraduate level is required. It is also recommended to have graduate level experience with Electromagnetism and Classical Mechanics and familiarity with accelerator science and technology at the level of USPAS Fundamentals of Accelerator Physics and Technology with Simulations and Measurements Lab or equivalent.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet the course prerequisites or have equivalent experience.

Objectives
On successful completion of this course, students should attain a basic understanding of the physics of charged particle accelerators, including single particle dynamics, beam stability, beam measurements and design concepts towards high performance accelerators. Some aspects of numerical methods and application of accelerators will also be covered.

Instructional Method
The course consists of lectures, computer labs, homework problems, and assigned projects.

Three hours of daily lectures will cover topics of the course with several topics potentially spanning several days.  Computer labs or recitation sessions will follow the lectures.  Homework will be assigned after topical sections are covered in the lectures and will be due two days after assignment.  Homework solutions will be given in recitation sessions.  An accelerator design project will be assigned in the middle of the course. A comprehensive take-home final exam will be given at the mid-point of the last week of the course and will be due at the start of the final lecture. 

Students are encouraged to work together on homework but must turn in their own solutions. Independent work is required on the final exam. Lecturers and graders will be available for questions during evening homework sessions. Course notes, problems sets, and the final exam will be distributed via the course web site.

Course Website
To be announced before course starts.

Course Content
This course is an introduction to the physics, technology, design, and operation of particle accelerators. Topics include: accelerator magnets; history and introduction of various types of particle accelerators; single-particle transverse and longitudinal motion; emittance and phase-space areas; effects of linear magnet errors; chromatic effects and their correction; effects of nonlinearities; basic beam manipulations; RF systems; diagnostic systems; and an introduction to accelerator lattice design. Other topics such as: synchrotron radiation; excitation and damping beam-beam interaction; collective effects and instabilities; linear accelerators; and accelerator applications will also be discussed. Computer labs will be employed to illustrate concepts covered.

Reading Requirements
(to be provided by the USPAS) “Accelerator Physics” 4th edition by S.Y. Lee, (World Scientific Pub. Co, NY, 2018); and lecture notes.

Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated based on performance approximately as follows: homework assignments (40% of final grade), exams (30% of final grade), class project (30% of final grade).

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Michigan State University course number: PHY 963 - 701
Indiana University course number: Physics 570, Introduction to Accelerator Physics
MIT course number: 8.790, Accelerator Physics