OVERVIEW OF EUCARD ACCELERATOR AND MATERIAL RESEARCH AT GSI

EuCARD is a joined accelerator R&D initiative funded by the EU. Within this program, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt is performing R&D on materials for accelerators and collimators in workpackage 8 (ColMat). GSI covers prototyping and testing of a cryogenic ion catcher for FAIR’s main synchrotron SIS100, simulations and studies on activation of accelerator components e.g. halo collimatiors as well as irradiation experiments on materials foreseen to be used in FAIR accelerators and the LHC upgrade program. Carbon-carbon composites, silicon carbide and copper-diamond composite samples have been irradiated with heavy ions at various GSI beamlines and their radiation induced property changes were characterized. Numerical simulations on the possible damage by LHC and SPS beams to different targets have been performed. Simulations and modelling of activation and long term radiation induced damage to accelerator components have started. A prototype ion catcher has been built and first experiments have been performed in 2011. New collaborations with other institutes and industry participating in the EuCARD framework have been established and findings of the joined R&D effort influence decisions in the FAIR project and LHC upgrade. This work offers an overview and points out highlights of the GSI’s ColMat activities which are not separately presented within other contributions to this proceedings.