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Description
For the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), the Vacuum Assembly for eXperiments (VAX) of ATLAS and CMS required a major redesign to improve accessibility and reduce personnel exposure to radiation during its exploitation and maintenance. In the current LHC configuration, the VAX is located at a closed end of the tunnel, where the risk of oxygen-deficiency is also present. To address these safety concerns, the VAX modules have been relocated to the opposite side of the TAXS absorber, within the experimental cavern. This new layout enables fully remote installation, connection and removal, in line with ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles. It also allows the first quadrupole magnet, Q1, to be positioned 833 mm closer to the interaction point (IP), improving the final focusing of the beams before collisions.
This paper presents the design, prototyping, and production of this vacuum assembly, which features a demanding transition between the cryogenic Q1 region and the baked vacuum system of the experiment. Key design aspects include thin-film surface treatments, bellows optimisation, and the development of remote-handling-compatible vacuum interfaces, with a focus on remote flange alignment and vacuum-chain design.
| In which format do you inted to submit your paper? | LaTeX |
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