Computer-Based Visualization and Manipulation of Orbit Warps in the Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS)

The low energy orbit warps in the ZGS are corrected by eight current-regulated single-turn kicker windings. The currents regulated in these coils can be set individually by the operators through a central digital control system. Since large first harmonic warps are produced by small current changes in single coils, blind, individual adjustment of the eight currents is seldom productive. This paper describes a computer program and interactive graphic display system which allow accelerator operators to visualize the effects of single or multiple kicker coil current changes. The display provides numeric as well as graphic representation of the orbit warp produced. Localized orbit bumps can be inserted by specifying location and size. The program can be used for offline visualization purposes only, or optionally the desired currents can be introduced immediately by the computer.