Optics and Non-Linear Beam Dynamics at 4 and 6.5 TeV

2012 has been an extraordinary year for the control and understanding of the LHC optics. A record low β-beating of about 7% has been achieved during nominal operation. Consequently the luminosity imbalance between the two main experiments has also achieved a record low value. Magnet experts have found 1% gradient errors in some MQY quadrupoles, which are in good agreement with the beam-based optics corrections. A large effort has been put into probing the polarity of the non-linear correction circuits. So far more than 60 sextupolar and octupolar circuits have been probed revealing some inconsistencies. A large collection of new optics has been tested, including the post LS1 baseline β * =0.4 m. Dedicated MDs have brought first time achievements in the LHC non-linear beam dynamics regime, namely: (i) measurement of DA at injection, (ii) chromatic coupling correction, (iii) IR non-linear corrections at β * =0.6 m, and (iv) the direct measurement of amplitude detuning with AC dipoles. All of these accomplishments give a comfortable basis to make projections and recommendations towards 6.5 TeV.