Radiation produced by the LEP super-conducting RF cavities

The LEP superconducting RF cavities present an important radiation source b oth during the conditioning and during normal working conditions. Before th eir installation in the accelerator the cavities are tested and conditioned in a laboratory bunker up to their maximum achievable field, which in some cases can be as high as 9 MV m(-1). This paper discusses radiation measure ments carried out on both single cavities and standard 4-cavity modules. Fo llowing a brief description of the processes underlying the emission of rad iation, the results of photon and neutron measurements are given. The induc ed radioactivity in various materials is also evaluated; shielding guidelin es and radiation protection procedures are briefly discussed. (C) 1999 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.