Different Operation Regimes at the KIT Storage Ring KARA (Karlsruhe Research Accelerator)

The KIT storage ring KARA operates in a wide energy range from 0.5 to 2.5 GeV. Different operation modes have been implemented at KARA, so far, the double-bend achromat (DBA) lattice with non-dispersive straight sections, the theoretical minimum emittance (TME) lattice with distributed dispersion, different versions of low-compaction factor optics with highly stretched dispersion function. Short bunches of a few ps pulse width are available at KARA. Low-alpha optics has been simulated, tested and implemented in a wide operational range of the storage ring and is now routinely used at 1.3 GeV for studies of beam bursting effects caused by coherent synchrotron radiation in the THz frequency range. Different non-linear effects, in particular residual high-order components of the magnetic field, generated in high-field superconducting wigglers have been studied and cured. Based on good agreement between computer simulations and experiments, a new operation mode at high vertical tune was implemented. The beam performance during user operation as well as at low-alpha regimes has been improved. A specific optic with negative compaction factor was simulated, tested and is in operation.