Optimisation of the nominal cycle

The energy ramp and the betatron squeeze are critical phases of the LHC operation. During the squeeze, delicate optics manipulations take place when the stored energy is maximum. In 2010, ramp and squeeze were commissioned rapidly and smoothly became operational. On the other hand, during the first commissioning exercise, the focus was put on machine safety and on operational robustness rather then in efficiency for luminosity production. After having accumulated a full year of experience on the operational cycle and having gained important feedback on machine behaviour and operational procedures, it is now time to address the optimization of the LHC cycle, while still respecting safe boundaries. In this paper, the experience with the LHC operational cycle is reviewed, possible bottlenecks are identified and paths for improvements are addressed. Proposals for improvement are based on a critical look at the limiting factors encountered in the different phases of the cycle. More complex operation configurations, like combined ramp and squeeze, are also discussed.