Design and Performance of Liquid Hydrogen Target Systems for the Fermilab Fixed Target Program

Abstract

The Fermilab 1990-1991 Fixed Target Pmgmm featured six experiments utilizing liquid hydrogen or liquid deuterium targets as part of their apparatus. Each design was optimized to the criteria of the experiment. resulting in variations of material selection, methods of refrigeradonandsecondary containment. Collecdvely.therargetswererunforatotalof 14,184 hours with an average operational efficiency of 97.6%. The safe and reliable operation of these targets was complemented by an increased degree of documentation and component testing. This operation was also aided by several key upgrades. All the systems were designed and fabricated under a set of written guidelines that blend analytical calculations and empirical guidance drawn from over twenty years of target fabrication experience.

Measurement of direct photon production at Tevatron fixed target energies

“…The upstream piece was 3.7 cm long, while the length of the downstream piece was 1.1 cm. In the 1991-1992 run, the target consisted of two 0.8 mm thick copper foils immediately upstream of a liquid hydrogen target [17], followed by a 2.54 cm long beryllium cylinder. The liquid hydrogen was contained in a 15.3 cm long mylar flask, which was supported in an evacuated volume with beryllium windows at each end (2.5 mm thickness upstream and 2.8 mm thickness downstream).…”