Collimator settings generation, management and verification

Abstract

Different collimator settings are required throughout the LHC operational cycle following the evolution of key beam parameters like energy, orbit and β-functions. Beam-based alignment is used to determine the beam centers and beam sizes at the collimators at discrete times in the cycle, such as injection, flat-top and collisions. These parameters are then used to generate setting functions for the collimator

positions and interlock limits. An overview of the settings generation, management and verification cycle is presented, and potential error scenarios in the settings generation are identified. Improvements foreseen for the post LS1 operation are discussed. The present collimator status monitoring system is reviewed with suggestions for improvement. The role of MAD-X online is discussed.

Finally, the results and current status towards maximizing the potential of the embedded-BPM collimators that will be installed in 18 collimator slots during LS1 is presented, including the tested automatic alignment procedure, software interlocks and orbit monitoring.