Collimation

Abstract

Collimation systems are essential in particle accelerators to safely and efficiently manage unavoidable beam losses during operation. These systems rely on collimators, which are specially designed movable jaws or absorbers positioned close to the beam envelope to intercept and localize beam losses. Their role is particularly critical in high-intensity hadron machines, where uncontrolled losses can lead to equipment damage or operational downtime. While the specific requirements vary across accelerator types, circular accelerators, especially present and future high-energy colliders, cannot operate safely without a well-optimized collimation system. This lecture offers an overview of the fundamental principles, design challenges and operational strategies of beam collimation, with emphasis on high-intensity hadron accelerators. The Large Hadron Collider, the most advanced example to date, will serve as the main reference for illustrating state-of-the-art collimation approaches and technologies.