Muon Collider Graphite Target Studies and Demonstrator Layout Possibilities at CERN

Muon colliders offer enormous potential for research of the particle physics frontier. Leptons can be accelerated without suffering large synchrotron radiation losses. The International Muon Collider Collaboration is considering 3 and 10 TeV (CM) machines for a conceptual stage. In the core of the Muon Collider facility lays a MW class production target, which will absorb a high power (1 and 3 MW) proton beam to produce muons via pion decay. The target must withstand high dynamic thermal loads induced by 2 ns pulses at 5-50 Hz. Also, operational reliability must be guaranteed to reduce target exchanges to a minimum. Several technologies for these systems are being studied in different laboratories. We present in this paper the results of a preliminary feasibility study of a graphite-based target, and the different layouts under study for a demonstrator target complex at CERN. Synergies with advanced nuclear systems are being explored for the development of a liquid metal target.