Investigating Beam Loss Reduction with Octupoles During Slow Extraction in the CERN SPS

Several different methods for reducing beam loss during resonant slow extraction at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) are being studied. One of these methods is the use of multipoles to manipulate the separatrices in order to reduce the fraction of protons hitting the thin wires of the electrostatic extraction septum (ES). In this paper the potential of using octupoles for this purpose is explored. Beam dynamics simulations using both a simplified model and full 6D tracking in MAD-X are presented. The performance reach of such a concept at the SPS is evaluated and the potential of future machine development studies using the octupoles already installed is discussed.