The upgraded RF system for the AGS and high intensity proton beams

The AGS has been upgraded over the past three years to produce a record beam intensity of 6×10¹³ protons per pulse for the fixed-target physics program. The major elements of the upgrade are: the new 1.5 GeV Booster synchrotron, the main magnet power supply, a high frequency longitudinal dilution cavity, a feedback damper for transverse instabilities, a fast gamma transition jump system, and a new high-power RF system. The new RF system and its role in achieving the high intensity goal are the subjects of this report. The RF system is heavily beam loaded, with 7 A of RF current in the beam and a peak power of 0.75 MW delivered to the beam by ten cavities. As an example of the scale of beam loading, at one point in the acceleration cycle the cavities are operated at 1.5 kV/gap; whereas, were it not for the new power amplifiers, the beam-induced voltage on the cavities would be over 25 kV/gap. The upgraded RF system, comprising: new power amplifiers, wide band RF feedback, improved cavities, and new low-level beam control electronics, is described. Results of measurements with beam, which characterize the system´s performance, are presented. A typical high intensity acceleration cycle is described with emphasis on the key challenges of beam loading