FNAL - The Proton Improvement Plan (PIP)

Abstract

The Fermilab Proton Source has an upgrade plan called the Proton Improvement Plan (PIP) [1]. The PIP has several key objectives which were laid out by laboratory management in 2011. The plan should address the necessary hardware modifications for increased repetition rate to 15 Hz, capable of delivering 2.25E17 protons/hour while maintaining 2012 activation levels, ensuring viable operation of the proton source through 2025 with availability greater than 85%. Fermilab believes the PIP goals are necessary to ensure that the laboratory delivers on the commitment to the physics program. PIP is therefor considered an urgent and a high-priority activity. The PIP effort started in 2011 and official task management and funding schedule approval in 2012. Largely an accelerator effort, several other laboratory divisions are playing critical roles. The progress of PIP is going to be discussed in this paper.