Present performance of the CERN proton linac

The original 1973 design specification of the CERN 50 MeV Proton Linac was for a 150 mA beam but this intensity was rarely used. Preliminary tests for the high brightness beam required for LHC indicated that 170 mA could be produced for short pulses (30 micro sec). Since then further optimisation has enabled the 170 mA to be delivered reliably, within the nominal emittances and dispersion, in long pulses (120 micro sec) to the user, the PS Booster (PSB), about 80 m downstream of the linac. The improvements will be described along with the steps envisaged to attain a goal of more than 180 mA.