COLLIMATION UPGRADES FOR HL-LHC

The upgrade of the LHC collimation system is essential to handle the challenging parameters foreseen for the HL-LHC that aims at colliding beams of up to 700 MJ. Depending of the performance limitations of the LHC Run II at higher energy, we are preparing for a possible staged implementation of collimation upgrades starting already in the LHC long shutdown 2. In this paper, the main collimation upgrade studies are presented, recalling motivations and improved performance goals. The time line for collimation upgrades, synchronized with the LHC long shutdown planning, is discussed. Relevant machine protection aspects, including injection protection device upgrades in the LHC ring, are also discussed.