Monte Carlo simulations and benchmark studies at CERN's accelerator chain

Abstract

Mixed particle and energy radiation fields present at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and its accelerator chain are responsible for failures on electronic devices located in the vicinity of the accelerator beam lines. These radiation effects on electronics and, more generally, the overall radiation damage issues have a direct impact on component and system lifetimes, as well as on maintenance requirements and radiation exposure to personnel who have to intervene and fix existing faults. The radiation environments and respective radiation damage issues along the CERN's accelerator chain were studied in the framework of the CERN Radiation to Electronics (R2E) project and are hereby presented. The important interplay between Monte Carlo simulations and radiation monitoring is also highlighted.