Beam Measurements of the Longitudinal Impedance of the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron

One of the main challenges of future physics projects based on particle accelerators is the need for high intensity beams. However, collective effects are a major limitation which can deteriorate the beam quality or limit the maximum intensity due to losses. The CERN SPS, which is the last injector for the LHC, is currently unable to deliver the beams required for future projects due to longitudinal instabilities. The numerous devices in the machine (accelerating RF cavities, injection and extraction magnets, vacuum flanges, etc.) lead to variations in the geometry and material of the chamber through which the beam is travelling. The electromagnetic interaction within the beam (space charge) and of the beam with its environment are described by a coupling impedance which affects the motion of the particles and leads to instabilities for high beam intensities. Consequently, the critical impedance sources should be identified and solutions assessed. To have a reliable impedance model of an accelerator, the contributions of all the devices in the ring should be evaluated from electromagnetic simulations and measurements. In this thesis, the beam itself is used to probe the machine impedance by measuring the synchrotron frequency shift with intensity and bunch length, as well as the line density modulation of long bunches injected with the RF voltage switched off. These measurements are compared with macroparticle simulations using the existing SPS impedance model, and the deviations are studied to identify missing impedance sources and to refine the model. The next important step is to reproduce in simulations the measured single bunch instabilities during acceleration, in single and double RF system operation. Thanks to the improved impedance model, a better understanding of instability mechanisms is achieved for both proton and ion beams. Finally, as the simulation model was shown to be trustworthy, it is used to estimate the beam characteristics after the foreseen SPS upgrades the High Luminosity-LHC project at CERN. (author)