DRIVE SYSTEM CONTROL FOR KOLKATA SUPERCONDUCTING CYCLOTRON EXTRACTION SYSTEM

The K500 Superconducting Cyclotron at VECC, Kolkata uses two electrostatic deflectors, eight passive magnetic channels, one active magnetic channel and two compensating bars as its extraction elements. Except the active magnetic channel, all the other elements can be moved radially, typically by ±6 mm around a centre position. This maneuverability is due to the fact that not all the ions, spanning the operating region of the cyclotron, will have the same optimum beam extraction radius. At the end of the beam extraction channel, the beam is shaped and aligned by a pair of water cooled slit. The slit movement is pneumatically controlled as it has to be operated in high magnetic field. The computer controlled drive system can move the elements precisely. The paper will describe the drive system and its control mechanism.