Optimization of the position of the Radial Loop Pickups in the CERN PS

A part of the beam losses at transition crossing of high intensity beams in the CERN PS have been attributed to an excursion of the closed orbit. The orbit jump occurs simultaneously with the jump of the transition energy triggered by pulsed quadrupoles. Investigations showed that the position of the pickups used for the radial loop system was not optimized with respect to the dispersion change caused by the fast change of the transition energy. Thanks to new electronics of the orbit measurement system, turn-by-turn orbit data could be recorded around transition crossing. Their analysis, together with calculations of the transverse optics, allowed determining a new choice of pickup positions for the radial loop. In comparison to the previous pickup configuration, the new configuration improves the mean radial position not only during transition crossing, but all along the acceleration cycle.