Electron cloud observations and cures in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Abstract

Since 2001, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has experienced electron cloud effects, some of which have limited the beam intensity. These include dynamic pressure rises (including pressure instabilities), tune shifts, a reduction of the instability threshold for bunches crossing the transition energy, and possibly incoherent emittance growth. We summarize the main observations in operation and dedicated experiments as well as countermeasures including baking, nonevaporable getter coated warm beam pipes, solenoids, bunch patterns, antigrazing rings, prepumped cold beam pipes, scrubbing, and operation with long bunches.