The LHC as a Proton-Nucleus Collider

Following its initial operation as a proton-proton (p-p) and heavy-ion (²⁰⁸Pb⁸²⁺-²⁰⁸Pb⁸²⁺) collider, the LHC is expected to operate as a p-Pb collider. Later it may collide protons with other lighter nuclei such as ⁴⁰Ar¹⁸⁺ or ¹⁶O⁸⁺. We show how the existing proton and lead-ion injector chains may be efficiently operated in tandem to provide these hybrid collisions. The two-in-one magnet design of the LHC main rings imposes different revolution frequencies for the two beams in part of the magnetic cycle. We discuss and evaluate the consequences for beam dynamics and estimate the potential performance of the LHC as a proton-nucleus collider.