Longitudinal multibunch feedback experiment with switched filter bank

Fast bunch to bunch feedback is necessary to control instabilities caused by coupled bunch oscillations in high intensity machines. A time domain active feedback scheme is discussed with focus on effective error detection using simple analog filters. Fast electronic switches direct each beam bunch signal from a beam pickup to a corresponding filter. The filters are excited at steady states. The output of the filters are steady sine waves tracking the phase and amplitude variations of individual bunches, allowing easy phase comparison with a reference rf signal. Amplitude detection of the signals yields valuable information of higher order beam oscillation modes. The beam motion information is processed and multiplexed to a fast phase or amplitude modulator that drives a wideband kicker. The feedback system can also be used to correct individual bunch oscillations caused by injection errors in larger machines filled by a number of booster cycles.