Remaining Fraction of Particle Beam After CERN Use

In summary, at CERN's LHC accelerator, approximately 1/2 to 1/3 of the initial protons are left in a beam before it is dumped. This can happen at any time, as the accelerator operates 24/7. The remaining fraction can be estimated to determine the probability of proton scattering from its bunch during collisions with a counter-rotating anti-proton bunch. The LHC mainly collides protons with protons and starts with close to 2 billion collisions per second in both ATLAS and CMS. The collision rate decreases over time due to other processes.
  • #1
Spinnor
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When Cern is done with a particle beam, what fraction of a typical beam bunch is left having not scattered out of the bunch? Is it of order 1/2? A very rough estimate would do.

Edit, I should add that I read an accelerated beam might be used for a day and at the end of the day they dispose of the old beam. What is left of a typical beam bunch at the end of the day.

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Which CERN accelerator do you mean?

LHC beams typically get dumped when ~1/2 to 1/3 of the initial protons are left. This is not bound to days, the accelerator operates 24/7. The beam is dumped when refilling (0 collisions for a while but then higher collision rates again) leads to a higher average collision rate than keeping the old beam.

You can watch it live here and here, "intensity" refers to the number of protons in the beams. Often the beams get dumped for safety reasons, that can happen much earlier (as it did yesterday afternoon for example).
 
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  • #3
mfb said:
Which CERN accelerator do you mean?

I was thinking of our biggest and best, the LHC, right?

With that remaining fraction, call it one half for estimating purposes, should I be able to roughly estimate than the probability that a proton gets scattered from its bunch per interaction with a counter-rotating anti-proton bunch by estimating the total number of collision interactions in say a 24 hour run (about 4X10^9?)?

How many times per orbit around the ring does a bunch interact?

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4nuAE_IMMYz9VDcddFj3KqwQQVwb9jt4Amr_RKfm7HzzrTBU2.png


From this image can I infer that number is 4 interactions per orbit?

Thanks!
 

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  • #4
The LHC is the largest. The different accelerators all have different purposes, they are all best for their applications.
Spinnor said:
With that remaining fraction, call it one half for estimating purposes, should I be able to roughly estimate than the probability that a proton gets scattered from its bunch per interaction with a counter-rotating anti-proton bunch by estimating the total number of collision interactions in say a 24 hour run (about 4X10^9?)?
The LHC collides protons with protons. No antiprotons involved.

The LHC starts with close to 2 billion collisions per second in both ATLAS and CMS each, over time that rate goes down. The collision rate in LHCb and ALICE is much smaller. Some of the protons are lost due to other processes.
 
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1. What is the purpose of measuring the remaining fraction of particle beam after CERN use?

The remaining fraction of particle beam after CERN use is measured to determine the efficiency of the particle accelerator and to ensure that the beam is not lost or wasted during the experiment. This information is crucial in understanding the performance of the accelerator and making improvements for future experiments.

2. How is the remaining fraction of particle beam measured?

The remaining fraction of particle beam is measured using various instruments such as beam monitors, detectors, and spectrometers. These instruments track the movement and energy of the particles before and after they pass through the accelerator, allowing scientists to calculate the remaining fraction.

3. What factors can affect the remaining fraction of particle beam?

Several factors can affect the remaining fraction of particle beam after CERN use, including beam intensity, energy, and stability. Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity can also impact the beam's performance.

4. How is the remaining fraction of particle beam used in scientific research?

The remaining fraction of particle beam is used to analyze the results of experiments conducted at CERN and to validate the accuracy of theoretical models. It also helps scientists understand the behavior of particles at high energies and improve the design and performance of future particle accelerators.

5. What is considered a good remaining fraction of particle beam after CERN use?

Ideally, a good remaining fraction of particle beam after CERN use would be close to 100%, indicating that the beam was efficiently used and no particles were lost during the experiment. However, the acceptable remaining fraction can vary depending on the specific experiment and research goals.

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