Testing of the SARAF tungsten pin beam dump

A new version of a beam dump was tested at SARAF Phase I. The beam dump consisted of a grid of tungsten pins welded to water-cool copper backing. The beam-induced heat was dissipated mainly through thermal radiation with a smaller amount via thermal conductance. Beam rastering was performed for better control of the irradiated area and beam density. A test irradiation using a 4 kW protons beam power demonstrated that the current design could readily accept average 300 W/cm2 beam power density while achieving low prompt and residual radiation levels with no blistering damage. Local melting of pins was observed at beam power density of 800 W/cm2. The results of the irradiation test are presented and analyzed and the plans for future improvements are discussed.