Fundamentals of Accelerator Physics and Technology with Simulations and Measurements Lab

Sponsor:

Michigan State University

Course Name:

Fundamentals of Accelerator Physics and Technology with Simulations and Measurements Lab (undergraduate level)

Instructors:

Eric Prebys, UC Davis; Elvin Harms and Nino Chelidze, Fermilab; Amber Johnson, University of Maryland
TAs: Medani Sangroula, Brookhaven National Lab; Gareth May and John Rogers, Texas A&M University

Purpose and Audience
This course is intended as an introduction to the field of accelerator physics and technology and is suitable for senior undergraduate students or students from other fields with a particular interest in accelerator physics. The course is also appropriate for engineers and technicians working in accelerator-related fields who wish to broaden their background.

Prerequisites
Either previous coursework or a general understanding of classical mechanics and electromagnetism. Courses in special relativity (at the level of "Special Relativity" by A.P. French or "Introduction to Special Relativity" by Robert Resnick), classical mechanics and electrodynamics (at the level of "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by David J. Griffiths) at a junior undergraduate level or higher.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet the course prerequisites or have equivalent experience. Students may self-evaluate using these questions.

Objectives
This course will focus on the fundamental principles of acceleration and transport of charged particle beams. A theoretical understanding of the principals, provided through daily lectures, will be coupled to a practical implementation of the concepts through laboratory exercises.

Instructional Method
This course includes a series of lectures combined with laboratory sessions on related subject matter. Laboratory sessions will include computer simulations and experimental measurements employing accelerator hardware. Students will work in groups and write and submit lab reports for the majority of the lab exercises. Additional problem sets, to be completed outside of scheduled class time, will be assigned in the morning lecture sessions. Problem sets will be graded in a timely fashion, and feedback will be provided by the instructors.

Course Content
The lectures will begin with a review of the historical development of accelerators and their past and present applications. Following a brief review of special relativity, the bulk of the course will focus on acceleration methods and phase stability, basic concepts of magnet design, and transverse linear particle motion.  An introduction to resonances, linear coupling, space charge, magnet errors, and synchrotron radiation will also be given.  The afternoon laboratory sessions will provide hands on experience with hardware and instrumentation for beam diagnostic measurements. Complimentary computer lab modules will be used as aides for lattice design exercises and beam optics studies.

Reading Requirements
(to be provided by the USPAS) "An Introduction to the Physics of High Energy Accelerators," Wiley Publishers (1993) by D.A. Edwards and M.J. Syphers. Additional handouts with supplementary material will be provided by the course instructors.

Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated based on performance: homework assignments (35% of final grade) computer/lab sessions (35% of final grade), and an in-class final exam (30% of final grade).

USPAS Computer Requirements
There will be no Computer Lab and all participants are required to bring their own portable computer to access online course notes and computer resources. This can be a laptop or a tablet with a sufficiently large screen and keyboard. Windows, Mac, and Linux-based systems that are wifi capable and have a standard web browser and mouse are all acceptable. You should have privileges for software installs. If you are unable to bring a computer, please contact uspas@fnal.gov ASAP to request a laptop loan. Very limited IT support and spare loaner laptops will be available during the session.

Michigan State University course number: PHY 405 Section 701, Directed Studies
Indiana University course number: Physics 470, Accelerator Fundamentals
MIT course number: 8.277, Introduction to Particle Accelerators