Computer automation of beam steering systems for the McMaster University Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator

• Published in: IEEE transactions on nuclear science Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 1001 - 1005
• Main Authors: WONG, J, POEHLMAN, W. F. S, MCNAUGHT, R. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1988
• Subjects: accelerators; Atomic, molecular and charged-particle sources and detectors; automation; Charged-particle beam sources and detectors; computer aided control; computer applications; control systems; Exact sciences and technology; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; nuclear energy; Physics; Particle accelerator; Van de Graaff accelerator; Computer control; Deflection; Tandem accelerator
• ISSN: 0018-9499; 1558-1578
• DOI: 10.1109/23.3690

A prototype computer control system has been added to the McMaster University Tandem Accelerator Laboratory's Model FN Van de Graaff. Using a PDP-11/23 computer, the two-dimensional electrostatic low-energy steerers are controlled in such a manner as to optimize energy analyzed beam intensity when initiated by accelerator operator command. The system has been successfully tried on a wide mass range of ion species and performs the operation in under five seconds. Another operating mode allows continuous maximization of beam intensity. This is useful as an operator's "third hand" while other parameters of the beam transport system are varied manually. This system is part of an ongoing program of computer automation of suitable accelerator subsystems within the Laboratory.