Advancing Beams for Deterrence
The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) linear accelerator (linac) has not delivered proton beam to the Area A experimental hall in nearly thirty years. Recently, the LANSCE experimental end station modernization effort envisioned installing both a second proton radiography facility (“pRad-II”) and a Neutron Target Facility (NTF) inside Area A to support experimental interests for stockpile modernization and assessment. Line A Project (LAP) will serve these interests by delivering proton beam from the LANSCE linac to these new experimental end stations. The Office of Experimental Sciences funds this effort to provide beams with the proper timing structure, intensity, and optical qualities required by pRad-II and NTF, significantly improving the proton radiography experimental cadence and hosting novel neutron reaction studies on unstable isotopes. A cadre of physicists, engineers, technicians/technologists, and support staff across P, AOT, and LFO Divisions are evaluating LAP’s required budget, work scope, and cross-organizational interfaces; namely, the demolition and disposal of legacy beam Line A for replacement with a new beamline physics design. LAP will be the first new LANSCE beamline in decades, providing mission-critical beams for next-generation experimental end stations at LANSCE.
Reactivating Experimental Capabilities in Area A for NNSA Mission
LAP is pursuing a low-risk execution model relying on standard methods to restore beam delivery to Area A. The new design proposes a chicane of bending magnets to direct low-intensity H− beam from operational Line X into a completely renovated beam Line A. New quadrupole magnets focus the beam before a new stripper foil system strips the H- to H+ for delivery into Area A. All legacy Line A vacuum, diagnostic, and beam control components will be replaced with modern systems. LAP planning and resource allocation also includes all necessary demolition and disposition of legacy items.
