Injection optimization at particle accelerators via reinforcement learning: From simulation to real-world application

Physical Review Accelerators and Beams, vol. 28

Abstract

Optimizing the injection process in particle accelerators is crucial for enhancing beam quality and operational efficiency. This paper presents a framework for utilizing reinforcement learning (RL) to optimize the injection process at accelerator facilities. By framing the optimization challenge as an RL problem, we developed an agent capable of dynamically aligning the beam’s transverse space with desired targets. Our methodology leverages the soft actor-critic algorithm, enhanced with domain randomization and dense neural networks, to train the agent in simulated environments with varying dynamics promoting it to learn a generalized robust policy. The agent was evaluated in live runs at the cooler synchrotron COSY and it has successfully optimized the beam cross section reaching human operator level but in notably less time. An empirical study further validated the importance of each architecture component in achieving a robust and generalized optimization strategy. The results demonstrate the potential of RL in automating and improving optimization tasks at particle acceleration facilities.

Authors 4

1. Awal Awal Aachen

   GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH

   RWTH Aachen University

2. J. Hetzel

   GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research

   Affiliation as printed

   GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH

3. R. Gebel

   GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research · Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

   GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH

4. Jörg Pretz Aachen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

   RWTH Aachen University