Requirements for the noise in electron beams (NEB) have recently approached the Shot-noise level in some new applications. The density fluctuations of intense beams in the near-infrared (NIR) region are being measured at the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility. The main goal of the experiment is to accurately compare the Shot-noise model with the observations of optical transition radiation (OTR) generated by the gamma=63 electron beam transiting an Al metal surface. In addition, evidence for longitudinal-space-charge-induced microbunching for the chicane-compressed beam was obtained with coherent enhancements up to 100 in the various bandwidth-filtered NIR OTR photodiode signals. With micropulse charges up to 1 nC, the beam parameters are close to those proposed for a stage in an Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) with coherent electron cooling (CEC). In this paper we present the current progress of the NEB project and compare the low electron energy measurements with ImpactX simulations.

Recently, Optical Stochastic Cooling (OSC) became the first demonstrated method for ultra-high-bandwidth stochastic cooling. The initial experiments at Fermilab’s IOTA ring explored the essential physics of the method and demonstrated cooling, heating and manipulation of beams and single particles. Having been validated in practice, with continued development, OSC carries the potential for dramatic advances in the state-of-the-art performance and flexibility for beam cooling and control. The ongoing program at Fermilab is now focused on the development of an OSC system that includes high-gain optical amplification, which promises a two-order-of-magnitude increase in the strength of the OSC force. In this talk, we briefly review the results of the initial experimental campaign, describe the status of the conceptual and hardware designs for the amplified OSC system, report initial experimental results of our high-gain amplifier development, and explore near-term operational plans and use cases.

Operation with ultra-low momentum-compaction factor (alpha) is a desirable capability for many storage rings and synchrotron radiation sources. For example, low-alpha lattices are commonly used to produce picosecond bunches for the generation of coherent THz radiation and are the basis of a number of conceptual designs for EUV generation via steady-state microbunching (SSMB). Achieving ultra-low alpha requires not only a high-level of stability in the linear optics but also flexible control of higher-order compaction terms. Operation with lower momentum-compaction lattices has recently been investigated at the IOTA storage ring at Fermilab. Experimental results from some initial feasibility studies will be discussed in the context of ensuring an improved understanding of the IOTA optics for future research programs.

The aims of the CLARA experiment at the Fermilab Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) were to directly measure the coherence length of undulator radiation emitted by a single electron and to test whether the radiation is in a pure classical Glauber coherent state or in a quantum mixture of coherent and Fock states. We used a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) to study visible radiation generated by 150-MeV electrons circulating in the ring. The relative delay between the two arms of the MZI was adjusted by varying the length of one of them with a resolution of 10 nm. The intensity of the circulating beam spanned several orders of magnitude, down to single electrons. A pair of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) was placed at the output of the MZI arms to detect photocounts with high efficiency and timing resolution. We describe the observed interference patterns and photocount rates as a function of interferometer delay and discuss their implications.

The Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility is dedicated to the exploration of novel concepts in accelerator and beam physics, and the development of a robust workforce, in order to enable and enhance next-generation particle accelerators. FAST comprises a high-brightness superconducting electron linac, and a storage ring, the Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA). Experiments in the most recent operational run include studies of nonlinear integrable lattices; tracking of single electrons; precise characterization of undulator radiation; studies with low-momentum-compaction lattices; and ultra-wide range beam diagnostics based on Photomultiplier tubes. In the linac, experiments on noise in intense electron bunches were conducted. The IOTA proton injector, currently being commissioned, will enable a diverse program on space-charge-dominated beams. Research areas include non-invasive beam profile monitoring for proton beams; beam dynamics with electron lenses; halo suppression, feedback systems, and electron cooling. In this presentation, we provide an overview of the recent results and highlight future plans together with opportunities for collaboration.

We present the results of the first experiments on 6-dimensional phase-space tracking of a single electron in a storage ring, using a linear multi-anode photomultiplier tube for simultaneously measuring transverse coordinates and arrival times of synchrotron-radiation pulses. This technology makes it possible to fully reconstruct turn-by-turn positions and momentums in all three planes for a single particle. Complete experimental particle tracking enables the first direct measurements of dynamical properties, including invariants, amplitude and energy dependence of tunes with exceptional precision, and chaotic behavior.

Requirements for the noise in electron beams (NEB) have recently approached the Shot-noise level in some new applications. The density fluctuations of intense beams in the near-infrared (NIR) region are being measured at the Fermilab Accelerator Science and Technology (FAST) facility. The main goal of the experiment is to accurately compare the Shot-noise model with the observations of optical transition radiation (OTR) generated by the gamma=63 electron beam transiting an Al metal surface. In addition, evidence for longitudinal-space-charge-induced microbunching for the chicane-compressed beam was obtained with coherent enhancements up to 100 in the various bandwidth-filtered NIR OTR photodiode signals. With micropulse charges up to 1 nC, the beam parameters are close to those proposed for a stage in an Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) with coherent electron cooling (CEC). In this paper we present the current progress of the NEB project and compare the low electron energy measurements with ImpactX simulations.