Heat Load, Stress and Reaction Force Studies of a Polarized Positron Production Target for the Future International Linear Collider

Abstract

The International Linear Collider requires an intense positron beam with yields of about 10 14 positrons per second. A polarized positron beam can be produced with a helical undulator passed by the accelerated electron beam to create a high power polarized photon beam. The photon beam penetrates a thin titanium-alloy rotating target wheel of 1m diameter with 500 to 2000 rpm rotation speed and produces polarized positrons. The system should run for 1-2 years without failure. A break down can occur due to the huge heat load in a short time (<1ms). The target design must keep the resulting thermomechanical stress below the yield strength and the fatigue limit of the material. FEM ANSYS simulations are used to evaluate the thermo-mechanical stress as well as the vibrations at the bearings of the rotating system. Results are presented with the goal to optimize the target wheel design parameters for a long lifetime.