- Open Access
Simulation studies of a high-repetition-rate electron-driven surface muon beamline at SHINE
Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 28, 083401 – Published 18 August, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/t2d3-xqnp
Abstract
A high-repetition-rate pulsed muon source operating at approximately 50 kHz holds the potential to improve the sensitivity of various particle physics and materials science experiments involving muons. In this article, we propose utilizing the high-repetition-rate pulsed electron beam at the SHINE facility to generate a surface muon beam. Our simulation studies indicate that an 8 GeV, 100 pC charge pulsed electron beam impinging on a copper target can produce up to muons per pulse. Beamline optimization results demonstrate that approximately 60 surface muons per electron bunch can be efficiently transported to the end of the beamline. This translates to a surface muon rate of when the pulsed electron beam is operated at 50 kHz, which is comparable to existing muon facilities. This high-repetition-rate pulsed muon beam, with its ideal time structure, represents a unique and pioneering effort once constructed. It serves as a model for building cost-effective muon sources at existing electron machines with GeV electron energies. In addition to the typical challenges encountered in conventional muon beamlines, such as the installation and construction of the target station and beamline, the removal of substantial quantities of positrons is also a major challenge. A potential solution to this issue is also discussed.
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The typical electron beam spot from the SHINE superconducting linac is about (). However, at this small beam size, it will produce excessively high power density. At a repetition rate of 50 kHz, the copper target may not endure the thermal load. The 2 mm beam spot assumed here is based on a recent SHINE beam dump study [30], and this number will be optimized with a more focused study based on the target’s thermal engineering design. To achieve a millimeter-sized beam spot, a beam spoiler system can be utilized. Such a spoiler system is commonly employed at the end of the SLAC linac to degrade the beam at the A-line and ESA [31].
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