The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LASNCE) is over 50 years old. Currently, Cockroft-Waltons are being used to accelerate H+ and H- beams to 750 keV. The LANSCE Modernization Project (LAMP) is proposing to replace the font-end of LANSCE with a Radio-Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ). A RFQ Test Stand is being commissioned at LANL for technical demonstration of simultaneous dual-beam species acceleration through a RFQ under the timing constraints required by the LANSCE users facilities. We will describe the status and present initial results of the 35keV H+ line on the RFQ Test Stand.

The proton storage ring (PSR) upgrade for the LANSCE Modernization Project aims to minimize the yearly maintenance outage by minimizing beam loss. Several improvements could potentially impact the beam dynamics in the PSR, including a larger coated beam pipe and new buncher, injection, and extraction systems. The larger diameter, from 4” to 6”, will directly impact the beam dynamics due to an increased pole-to-pole gap height within the dipoles and quadrupoles, which would in turn increase their effective length and alter their fringe field profiles. In this work, a simulation model of the PSR ring was developed using the particle tracking code pyORBIT to study the effect of different beam pipe diameters on the beam optics. The parameters of the injected beam are derived from an existing model of the PSR injection system, and the resulting beam parameters will be used in a simulation model of the extraction system, to be presented separately at the conference. The pyORBIT results were benchmarked against beam optics simulations created using accelerator codes including MAD-X, etc. The pyORBIT simulation model of the PSR ring will be described, and the results will be presented at the conference.

The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) is one of the oldest operating high-average-power accelerators in the United States, having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of operation. LANSCE is comprised of an 800-MeV linac capable of concurrently accelerating both H+ and H- ions, and can presently provide beam to six separate user stations. The LANSCE accelerator operates with much of its original equipment, including the Cockcroft-Walton injectors and drift-tube linac. As part of the proposed LANSCE Modernization Project (LAMP), a refurbishment and upgrade effort would replace the initial portion of the LANSCE accelerator, from ion sources to the end of the 100-MeV drift-tube linac. This paper describes the overall approach taken to establish performance goals, downselect a preferred technology approach, and identify viable pathways towards implementation.

In late 2023 (6-8 November), Los Alamos National Laboratory hosted the “UED Opportunities for Dynamical Imaging of Materials” workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The workshop was divided into two sections. The first part (1.5 days) was dedicated to material science and needs for UED imaging, and the second part (1 day) to discuss accelerator science driving next generation ultra-fast diffraction systems. In this workshop, emphasis was placed on identifying current and future scientific problems that will utilize compact MeV-UED machines, discussing state-of-the-art technological advances, and exploring future opportunities for MeV-UED machine developments. This paper will present an overview of the workshop’s goals and summarize discussions and conclusions.

The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) accelerator produces high intensity H+ and H- beams for multiple experiments in fundamental and national security science. The proposed LANSCE Modernization Project (LAMP) is evaluating necessary upgrades to enable continuous LANSCE operations in years to come. LAMP seeks to upgrade the H+ and H- 750 kV Cockcroft-Walton (CW) generators with a dual-beam, 3-MeV Radiofrequency Quadrupole (RFQ). For technology maturation and know-how associated with this concept, an RFQ test stand with LAMP-like layout is being set-up to demonstrate dual-beam operation in an RFQ with all beam patterns required by experiments. The RFQ test stand will have 35-keV H+ and H- beamlines that simultaneously inject into a 750 keV RFQ. Assembly and initial characterization of the H+ beam is under way. The H- beamline has stringent requirements and will also demonstrate systems like a beam chopper and a low frequency buncher to produce required beam patterns. We describe the design of the H- beamline based on accelerator codes Warp and Impact.