THE KN-3000 PARTICLE ACCELERATOR CONTROL EXPERT-SYSTEM (PACES)

The particle accelerator control expert system (PACES) is a computer-based operator aid, retrofitted to a model KN-3000 Van de Graaff accelerator, that is used during the start-up, steady state and shut-down phases of the accelerator. Using PACES, the operator can control the accelerator through a graphical control panel, or call upon an expert system to perform automatic start-up or shut-down. PACES then automatically stabilizes and optimizes particle beam parameters. PACES is also able to detect, diagnose and respond to operating faults, such as high-voltage sparks, vacuum system failure or loss of source gas. This paper demonstrates the novel features and utility of the PACES artificial intelligence accelerator controller.