MKI’s alumina tube discrimination and optimisation

The LHC’s MKI (Magnet KIcker system) requires an alumina tube that holds screening conductors within slots. This setup shields the magnet from the beam that goes through the tube. The alumina tubes are not ideal as the thickness varies a lot at all angles along the length. These irregularities can cause breakdowns due to the aperture’s high electric field during the kicking pulse. An optimiser for the tube’s orientation was written using electrostatic simulations and python. An interface was created to make measurements sessions smoother and more efficient. Additional electrostatic simulations were ran to help with on going capacitance measurements used to determine the integrity of the tube.