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arXiv · 2508.18450

Challenges and Optimization of Mu2e Proton Target Design with Radiative Cooling

Z. Liu·J. Williams·A. Makovec·M. Hedges·F. Pellemoine·K. Yonehara·G. Annala·K. Lynch·M. Bloomer·J. Popp·A. Edmonds·J. Miller
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Abstract

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for the charged lepton flavour violating process of coherent neutrinoless muon-to-electron conversion in the presence of an aluminum nucleus. The muons are produced by an 8 GeV proton beam from the Fermilab Booster striking a production target to create hadrons that decay to muons. The production target design space is strongly constrained by a required one-year operating lifetime and the need for radiative cooling in a vacuum. Uncertainties in the lifetime of the existing baseline design - a monolithic, segmented tungsten (WL10) target - are large, particularly due to unknown effects of radiation damage at the very high proton fluences expected in the experiment. We have begun evaluating a new design utilizing Inconel 718. Here, we present an engineering analysis of a prototype modular design. specifically thermal management, structural stability, fatigue lifetime, and fabrication changes. The results approve a promising new target design for the Mu2e experiment.

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Z. Liu, J. Williams, A. Makovec, M. Hedges, F. Pellemoine, K. Yonehara, G. Annala, K. Lynch, M. Bloomer, J. Popp, A. Edmonds, J. Miller. 2025-09-26. Challenges and Optimization of Mu2e Proton Target Design with Radiative Cooling. https://doi.org/10.18429/jacow-medsi2025-thob03

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