An ongoing investigation for the future of Jefferson Lab’s Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) lies in upgrading its maximum nominal energy using Fixed-Field Alternating-gradient (FFA) technology for its recirculating arcs, using permanent magnets for the FFA arcs. A common concern among the community is the degradation of these permanent magnets during operation due to the radiation environment in which they will be present. This work, funded by a Laboratory Directed R&D grant, aims to measure the permanent magnet degradation in the CEBAF tunnel enclosure, and extrapolate to the energies expected from the upgrade. We present the latest results of this study, as well as plans moving forward.

The ongoing work related to the LDRD funded by JLab is investigating the effects of radiation on permanent magnet materials intended for use in the CEBAF energy upgrade. This effort combines experimental exposure of magnet samples to radiation rates within the accelerator with detailed simulation studies. Samples are positioned at various locations to capture a range of radiation environments, helping researchers assess how different doses influence magnetic performance over time. Simulations using BDSIM support the interpretation of measured results and extend predictions to the higher energy stages planned for CEBAF. This paper presents recent findings and outlines the progress made toward understanding the long-term behavior of these materials in high-radiation settings.