Conceptual design of a high field ultra-compact cyclotron for nuclear physics research

We have studied the feasibility of using an existing wide-bore 8 T magnet as a component of an ultra-high-field cyclotron. Such a machine would use the highest magnetic field of any cyclotron to date, viz. 7.6 T averaged azimuthally with 8.5 T in the hills. The K95 `Eight Tesla Cyclotron´ would have roughly the same magnetic rigidity (Bρ) as the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron in a package of only one fourth the radius, with a corresponding reduction in cost. Such a cyclotron could accelerate particles with a charge state Q/A=1/4 to a final energy of 5 to 6 MeV/nucleon, the energy range currently being used to study superdeformed, high angular momentum nuclei that result from glancing collisions. Studies have stressed achieving sufficient vertical focusing (v_z) despite the high magnetic field level, and finding a central region geometry that fits comfortably in the limited space available while providing centering and early-turn focusing properties that are similar to those of less compact machines