arXiv subjects

Marco Calviani

Publications and source records attributed to Marco Calviani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Design and modeling of a liquid-lead dump concept for beamstrahlung radiation absorption in the CERN Future Circular e$^+$e$^-$ Collider

The electron-positron Future Circular Collider (FCC-ee) being developed at CERN will generate intense beamstrahlung radiation, thus requiring photon absorbers downstream of the interaction points. This work presents the conceptual design of flowing-liquid-lead absorbers capable of dissipating around 370 kW of photon power, with a mean photon energy of 62 MeV. Two configurations are investigated: an inclined-flow geometry, developed to increase the photon interaction length to maximize absorption, and a compact upstream slope with an additional pool, in which a free-surface lead flow intercepts the power peak before a downstream pool dissipates the remaining load. Photon-matter interactions are modeled using Monte Carlo simulations in fluka, while conjugate heat-transfer and free-surface dynamics are analyzed through computational-fluid-dynamics simulations using ansys fluent. Design refinements are introduced based on the simulated thermal and hydraulic performance and to mitigate secondary effects such as photon backscattering. Both configurations demonstrate stable operation within the 300 kg/s flow limit and maintain liquid-lead and structural temperatures within the operational range of 450--500 $^{\circ}$C. The results establish circulating liquid lead as a feasible and thermally robust baseline technology for beamstrahlung absorption in FCC-ee.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2025

MuCol Milestone Report No. 7: Consolidated Parameters

This document is comprised of a collection of consolidated parameters for the key parts of the muon collider. These consolidated parameters follow on from the October 2024 Preliminary Parameters Report. Attention has been given to a high-level consistent set of baseline parameters throughout all systems of the complex, following a 10 TeV center-of-mass design. Additional details of the designs contributing to this baseline design are featured in the appendix. Likewise, explorative variations from this baseline set can be found in the appendix. The data is collected from a collaborative spreadsheet and transferred to overleaf.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of the $^{35}Cl(n, p)^{35}S$ cross-section at the CERN n\_TOF facility from subthermal energy to 120 keV

Background: The $^{35}Cl(n, p)^{35}S$ reaction is of special interest in three different applications. First, in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy due to the presence of $^{35}Cl$ in brain and skin tissue. Second, it is involved in the creation of $^{36}S$, whose astrophysical origin remains unresolved. Third, in the designing of fast nuclear reactors of new generation based on molten salts. Purpose: To measure the $^{35}Cl(n, p)^{35}S$ cross-section from thermal energy to 120 keV, determine the resonance parameters in this range and Maxwellian Averaged Cross-Section (MACS). Method: We made use of the Time-of-Flight technique with microMEGAS detectors at Experimental Area 2 (EAR-2) of n\_TOF facility at CERN. The $^{10}B(n, \alpha)^{7}Li$ and $^{235}U(n, f)$ reactions were used as references. Rutherford Back-scattering Spectrometry technique was performed at Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA) in Sevilla, in order to accurately determine the masses of the irradiated samples. Results: We obtain a thermal cross-section of $0.470 \pm 0.009$ barns. The $1/v$ energy dependence of the cross-section is observed up to the first resonance at 0.398 keV, the resonances up to 120 keV are analyzed and MACS calculated for $k_{B} T$ from 1 to 100 keV. Conclusions: The $^{35}Cl(n, p)^{35}S$ cross-section has been obtained over a wide energy range for the first time, with high accuracy across the aforementioned range. The thermal cross-section and first two resonances are in agreement with latest evaluation in ENDF/B-VIII.1, while lower resonance strength was found for high energy resonances. These data are used to calculate the MACS for different $k_{B} T$.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

The Muon Collider

Muons offer a unique opportunity to build a compact high-energy electroweak collider at the 10 TeV scale. A Muon Collider enables direct access to the underlying simplicity of the Standard Model and unparalleled reach beyond it. It will be a paradigm-shifting tool for particle physics representing the first collider to combine the high-energy reach of a proton collider and the high precision of an electron-positron collider, yielding a physics potential significantly greater than the sum of its individual parts. A high-energy muon collider is the natural next step in the exploration of fundamental physics after the HL-LHC and a natural complement to a future low-energy Higgs factory. Such a facility would significantly broaden the scope of particle colliders, engaging the many frontiers of the high energy community. The last European Strategy for Particle Physics Update and later the Particle Physics Project Prioritisation Panel in the US requested a study of the muon collider, which is being carried on by the International Muon Collider Collaboration. In this comprehensive document we present the physics case, the state of the work on accelerator design and technology, and propose an R\&D project that can make the muon collider a reality.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2024

MuCol Milestone Report No. 5: Preliminary Parameters

This document is comprised of a collection of updated preliminary parameters for the key parts of the muon collider. The updated preliminary parameters follow on from the October 2023 Tentative Parameters Report. Particular attention has been given to regions of the facility that are believed to hold greater technical uncertainty in their design and that have a strong impact on the cost and power consumption of the facility. The data is collected from a collaborative spreadsheet and transferred to overleaf.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2024

Post-irradiation examination of a prototype tantalum-clad target for the Beam Dump Facility at CERN

The Beam Dump Facility (BDF) is a planned fixed-target installation in CERN's North Area, set to start operating in 2031. A proton beam of 400 GeV/c will be delivered in 1 s pulses of 4e13 protons every 7.2 s, amounting to 4e19 protons on target (PoT) per year, with an average thermal power deposition of 305 kW. The experiment requires high-Z and high-density materials and involves challenging thermomechanical conditions; hence, a water-cooled refractory metal core is proposed. To prevent corrosion and erosion, the target materials - tungsten and a molybdenum-based alloy, TZM-, are clad with a tantalum alloy using hot isostatic pressing. To verify the reliability of the target design and manufacturing process, a reduced-scale prototype target was manufactured and irradiated with 2.4e16 PoT in 2018. This paper presents the findings of the post-irradiation examination (PIE) conducted 2.5 years later. The PIE consisted of non-destructive and destructive activities, including film imaging, microscopy, metrology, ultrasonic testing, microstructural analysis, and mechanical and thermal characterization. No irradiation effects resulting from thermal stresses, such as geometrical changes or cracks in the cladding, were observed, and it was determined that the bonding between the core and cladding materials was robust. Moreover, no changes were detected in the microstructures or mechanical properties of the bulk materials. In conclusion, the robustness of the target baseline design and manufacturing process was confirmed, validating its suitability for operating under the desired conditions. Nonetheless, the observed brittleness of sintered tungsten indicates a potential area for improvement to enhance the lifetime of the BDF target. Overall, the examinations provided valuable insights into the performance of the prototype and indicated potential refinements for the future BDF target complex.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2024

Exploring diffusion bonding of niobium and its alloys with tungsten and a molybdenum alloy for high-energy particle target applications

Particle-producing targets in high-energy research facilities are often made from refractory metals, and they typically require dedicated cooling systems due to the challenging thermomechanical conditions they experience. However, direct contact of water with target blocks can induce erosion, corrosion, and embrittlement, especially of tungsten (W). One approach to overcoming this problem is cladding the blocks with tantalum (Ta). Unfortunately, Ta generates high decay heat when irradiated, raising safety concerns in the event of a loss-of-cooling accident. This study explored the capacity of niobium (Nb) and its alloys to form diffusion bonds with W and TZM (a molybdenum alloy with titanium and zirconium). This is because the Beam Dump Facility (BDF), a planned new fixed-target installation in CERN's North Area, uses these target materials. The bonding quality of pure Nb, Nb1Zr, and C103 (a Nb alloy with 10% hafnium and 1% titanium) with TZM and W obtained using hot isostatic pressing (HIP) was evaluated. The effects of different HIP temperatures and the introduction of a Ta interlayer were examined. Optical microscopy indicated promising bonding interfaces, which were further characterized using tensile tests and thermal-diffusivity measurements. Their performance under high-energy beam impact was validated using thermomechanical simulations. C103 exhibited higher interface strengths and safety factors than Ta2.5W, positioning it as a potential alternative cladding material for the BDF production target. The findings highlight the viability of Nb-based materials, particularly C103, for improving operational safety and efficiency in fixed-target physics experiments; however, considerations regarding the long half-life of 94Nb require further attention.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

FIB-SEM investigation and uniaxial compression of flexible graphite

Flexible graphite (FG) with 1 - 1.2 g/cm$^3$ density is employed as beam energy absorber material in the CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) beam dumping system. However, the increase of energy deposited expected for new HL-LHC (High-Luminosity LHC) design demanded for an improvement in reliability and safety of beam dumping devices, and the need for a calibrated material model suitable for high-level FE simulations has been prioritized. This work sets the basic knowledge to develop a material model for FG suitable to this aim. A review of the FG properties available in literature is first given, followed by FIB-SEM (Focused Ion Beam - Scanning Electron Microscopy) microstructure investigation and monotonic and cyclic uniaxial compression tests. Similarities with other well-known groups of materials such as crushable foams, crumpled materials and compacted powders have been discussed. A simple 1D phenomenological model has been used to fit the experimental stress-strain curves and the accuracy of the result supports the assumptions that the graphite-like microstructure and the crumpled meso-structure play the major role under out-of-plane uniaxial compression.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2023

Towards a Muon Collider

A muon collider would enable the big jump ahead in energy reach that is needed for a fruitful exploration of fundamental interactions. The challenges of producing muon collisions at high luminosity and 10 TeV centre of mass energy are being investigated by the recently-formed International Muon Collider Collaboration. This Review summarises the status and the recent advances on muon colliders design, physics and detector studies. The aim is to provide a global perspective of the field and to outline directions for future work.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2022

Study of alternative locations for the SPS Beam Dump Facility

As part of the main focus of the BDF Working Group in 2021, this document reports on the study of alternative locations and possible optimisation that may accompany the reuse of existing facilities with the aim of significantly reducing the costs of the facility. Building on the BDF/SHiP Comprehensive Design Study (CDS), the assessment rests on the generic requirements and constraints that allow preserving the physics reach of the facility by making use of the $4\times 10^{19}$ protons per year at 400\,GeV that are currently not exploited at the SPS and for which no existing facility is compatible. The options considered involve the underground areas TCC4, TNC, and ECN3. Recent improvements of the BDF design at the current location (referred to as `TT90-TCC9-ECN4') are also mentioned together with ideas for yet further improvements. The assessments of the alternative locations compiled the large amount of information that is already available together with a set of conceptual studies that were performed during 2021. The document concludes with a qualitative comparison of the options, summarising the associated benefits and challenges of each option, such that a recommendation can be made about which location is to be pursued. The most critical location-specific studies required to specify the implementation and cost for each option are identified so that the detailed investigation of the retained option can be completed before the end of 2022.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2022

Novel Materials and Concepts for Next-Generation High Power Target Applications

Novel beam-intercepting materials and targetry concepts are essential to improve the performance, reliability and operation lifetimes of next generation multi-megawatt (multi-MW) accelerator target facilities. The beam-intercepting materials and components must sustain an order-of-magnitude increase in particle beam intensities and are beyond the current state-of-the-art. With conventional materials already limiting the scope of experiments, it is crucial to investigate novel target materials, technologies and concepts that will satisfy the requirements and maximize the physics benefits of future energy and intensity frontier experiments. This paper provides an overview of the related targetry R&D required over the next 10 years to support and enable future high-power accelerator target facilities.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2022

Modeling Needs for High Power Target

The next generation of high power targets will use more complex geometries, novel materials, and new concepts (like flowing granular materials); however, the current numerical approaches will not be sufficient to converge towards a reliable target design that satisfies the physical requirements. We will discuss what can be improved in the next 10 years in target modeling to support high power (MW class) targets.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2021

High intensity proton beam impact at 440 GeV/c on Mo and Cu coated CfC/graphite and SiC/SiC absorbers for beam intercepting devices

Beam Intercepting Devices (BIDs) are essential protection elements for the operation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) complex. The LHC internal beam dump (LHC Target Dump Injection or LHC TDI) is the main protection BID of the LHC injection system; its main function is to protect LHC equipment in the event of a malfunction of the injection kicker magnets during beam transfer from the SPS to the LHC. Several issues with the TDI were encountered during LHC operation, most of them due to outgassing from its core components induced by electron cloud effects, which led to limitations of the injector intensity and hence had an impact on LHC availability. The absorbing cores of the TDIs, and of beam intercepting devices in general, need to deal with high thermo-mechanical loads induced by the high intensity particle beams. In addition, devices such as the TDI - where the absorbing materials are installed close to the beam, are important contributors to the accelerator impedance budget. To reduce impedance, the absorbing materials that make up the core must be typically coated with high electrical conductivity metals. Beam impact testing of the coated absorbers is a crucial element of development work to ensure their correct operation. The behaviour of several metal-coated absorber materials was investigated when exposed to high intensity and high energy proton beams in the HiRadMat facility at CERN. Different coating configurations based on copper and molybdenum, and absorbing materials such as isostatic graphite, Carbon Fibre Composite (CfC) and Silicon Carbide reinforced with Silicon Carbide fibres (SiC-SiC), were tested in the facility to assess the TDI's performance and to extract information for other BIDs using these materials. In addition to beam impact tests and an extensive Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) campaign, extensive numerical simulations were carried out.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2021

Design of the third-generation lead-based neutron spallation target for the neutron time-of-flight facility at CERN

The neutron time-of-flight (n_TOF) facility at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) is a pulsed white-spectrum neutron spallation source producing neutrons for two experimental areas: the Experimental Area 1 (EAR1), located 185 m horizontally from the target, and the Experimental Area 2 (EAR2), located 20 m above the target. The target, based on pure lead, is impacted by a high-intensity 20-GeV/c pulsed proton beam. The facility was conceived to study neutron-nucleus interactions for neutron kinetic energies between a few meV to several GeV, with applications of interest for nuclear astrophysics, nuclear technology, and medical research. After the second-generation target reached the end of its lifetime, the facility underwent a major upgrade during CERN's Long Shutdown 2 (LS2, 2019-2021), which included the installation of the new third-generation neutron target. The first and second-generation targets were based on water-cooled massive lead blocks and were designed focusing on EAR1, since EAR2 was built later. The new target is cooled by nitrogen gas to avoid erosion-corrosion and contamination of cooling water with radioactive lead spallation products. Moreover, the new design is optimized also for the vertical flight path and EAR2. This paper presents an overview of the target design focused on both physics and thermo-mechanical performance, and includes a description of the nitrogen cooling circuit and radiation protection studies.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) assisted diffusion bonding between CuCr1Zr and AISI 316L for application to the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) internal beam dump at CERN

The new generation internal beam dump of the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) at CERN will have to dissipate approximately 270 kW of thermal power, deposited by the primary proton beam. For this purpose, it is essential that the cooling system features a very efficient heat evacuation. Diffusion bonding assisted by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) was identified as a promising method of joining the cooling circuits and the materials of the dump's core in order to maximise the heat transfer efficiency. This paper presents the investigation of HIP assisted diffusion bonding between two CuCr1Zr blanks enclosing SS 316L tubes and the realisation of a real size prototype of one of the dump's cooling plate, as well as the assessments of its cooling performance under the dumps most critical operational scenarios. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, microstructural analyses, measurements of thermal conductivity and mechanical strength were performed to characterize the HIP diffusion bonded interfaces (CuCr1Zr-CuCr1Zr and CuCr1Zr-SS316L). A test bench allowed to assess the cooling performance of the real size prototype. At the bonded interface, the presence of typical diffusional phenomena was observed. Moreover, measured tensile strength and thermal conductivity were at least equivalent to the lowest ones of the materials assembled and comparable to its bulk properties, meaning that a good bonding quality was achieved. Finally, the real size prototype was successfully tested with an ad-hoc thermal test bench and with the highest operational thermal power expected in the new generation SPS internal beam dump.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Radiation Damage Studies on Titanium Alloys as High Intensity Proton Accelerator Beam Window Materials

A high-strength dual alpha+beta phase titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V is utilized as a material for beam windows in several accelerator target facilities. However, relatively little is known about how material properties of this alloy are affected by high-intensity proton beam irradiation. With plans to upgrade neutrino facilities at J-PARC and Fermilab to over 1 MW beam power, the radiation damage in the window material will reach a few displacements per atom (dpa) per year, significantly above the ~0.3 dpa level of existing data. The RaDIATE collaboration has conducted a high intensity proton beam irradiation of various target and window material specimens at BLIP facility, including a variety of titanium alloys. Post-Irradiation Examination of the specimens in the 1st capsule, irradiated at up to 0.25 dpa, is in progress. Tensile tests in a hot cell at PNNL exhibited a clear signature of radiation hardening and loss of ductility for Ti-6Al-4V, while Ti-3Al-2.5V, with less beta phase, exhibited less severe hardening. Microstructural investigations will follow to study the cause of the difference in tensile behavior between these alloys. High-cycle fatigue (HCF) performance is critical to the lifetime estimation of beam windows exposed to a periodic thermal stress from a pulsed proton beam. The 1st HCF data on irradiated titanium alloys are to be obtained by a conventional bend fatigue test at Fermilab and by an ultrasonic mesoscale fatigue test at Culham Laboratory. Specimens in the 2nd capsule, irradiated at up to ~1 dpa, cover typical titanium alloy grades, including possible radiation-resistant candidates. These systematic studies on the effects of radiation damage of titanium alloys are intended to enable us to predict realistic lifetimes of current beam windows made of Ti-6Al-4V and to extend the lifetime by choosing a more radiation and thermal shock tolerant alloy.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Design and operation of the air-cooled beam dump for the extraction line of CERN's Proton Synchrotron Booster (PSB)

A new beam dump has been designed, built, installed and operated to withstand the future proton beam extracted from the Proton Synchrotron Booster (PSB) in the framework of the LHC Injector Upgrade (LIU) Project at CERN, consisting of up to 1E14 protons per pulse at 2 GeV, foreseen after the machine upgrades planned for CERN's Long Shutdown 2 (2019-2020). In order to be able to efficiently dissipate the heat deposited by the primary beam, the new dump was designed as a cylindrical block assembly, made out of a copper alloy and cooled by forced airflow. In order to determine the energy density distribution deposited by the beam in the dump, Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the FLUKA code, and thermo-mechanical analyses were carried out by importing the energy density into ANSYS. In addition, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the airflow were performed in order to accurately estimate the heat transfer convection coefficient on the surface of the dump. This paper describes the design process, highlights the constraints and challenges of integrating a new dump for increased beam power into the existing facility and provides data on the operation of the dump.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2019

Development of a neutron imaging station at the n\_TOF facility of CERN and applications to beam intercepting devices

A neutron radiography testing station has been developed exploiting the neutron beam of CERN's n\_TOF Experimental Area 2, located at the shortest distance to the neutron producing-target. The characteristics of the n\_TOF neutron beam for the imaging setup are presented in this paper, together with the obtained experimental results. The possible developments of neutron imaging capabilities of the n\_TOF facility in terms of detection-systems and beam-line upgrades are as well outlined.

physics.ins-det↗