Beam Parameter Measurement and Control at the SNS Target

The spallation neutron production target at the SNS facility is designed for 1.4 MW beam power. Both beam position and profile must be carefully controlled within narrow margins to avoid damage to the target. The position must be within 2 mm of the target center, and 90% of the beam must be within the nominal 70 mm × 200 mm spot size, without exceeding 0.18 A/m
²
peak beam current density. This is a challenging problem, since most of the diagnostics are more than 9 m upstream of the target, and because the high beam power limits the lifetime of intercepting diagnostics. Our design includes a thermocouple halo monitor approximately 2 m upstream of the target face, and a beam position monitor, an insertable harp profile monitor, and a beam shape monitor approximately 9 m upstream. In this paper we will discuss our strategy to commission the beam delivery system and to meet target requirements during nominal operation.