30 March 2026 to 1 April 2026
University of Liverpool
Europe/London timezone

Batch spacing optimization at SPS injection by RL

31 Mar 2026, 11:15
30m
Theatre 2, Teaching Hub 502 (University of Liverpool)

Theatre 2, Teaching Hub 502

University of Liverpool

Liverpool L69 7ZP UK

Speaker

Matthias Remta (CERN / University of Vienna)

Description

This contribution will be based on the paper "Batch spacing optimization by reinforcement learning" (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/g9wr-197z):
Beams designated for the LHC are injected into the SPS in multiple batches. Given the tight spacing of 200 ns between these batches, the injection kickers have to be precisely synchronized with the injected beam to minimize injection oscillations. Due to machine drift, the optimal settings for the kickers vary. This paper presents an active controller trained by reinforcement learning that counteracts the machine drifts by adjusting the settings. The agent was exclusively trained in a simulation environment and directly transferred to the accelerator. Although its results are slightly worse than those obtained by an explicit numerical optimizer, the BOBYQA algorithm, the agent attains these results much faster since it requires far less computation.

Student Yes

Primary author

Matthias Remta (CERN / University of Vienna)

Co-authors

Dr Francesco Velotti (CERN) Dr Sharwin Rezagholi (UAS Technikum Wien)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.