R. De Maria
S. Fartoukh
M. Giovannozzi
M. Hostettler
G. Iadarola
Y. Papaphilippou
D. Pellegrini
G. Sterbini
F. Van Der Veken

cd examples/hl_lhc_collision/
python ../../unmask.py main.mask parameters_for_unmask.txt
madx main.mask.unmasked | tee out

or equivalently:

cd examples/hl_lhc_collision/
python ../../unmask.py main.mask parameters_for_unmask.txt --run | tee out

In this repository you can retrieve and contribute to improve the MADX code used to setup tracking simulations for LHC and HL-LHC.

This code is based on the work of many colleagues who shared their contributions and effort with the community for enriching this simulation framework.

We refer as mask the MADX input code that is the starting code for tracking simulation, FMA analysis,... The mask file present masked parameters that can be unmasked. Once unmasked, the mask become a regular MADX input file and can be directly run.

The proposed generic mask file has two main parts:

1. the definition of the configuration parameters. Their value can be assigned explicitly or masked by a placeholder (to be used for SixTrack scans).
2. the call of the madx files
   • to load the sequence and optics without beam-beam, to define the beam crossing angle and separation, the status of the experimental magnet...
   • to level the luminosity and install/configure the BB lenses...
   • to load the beam to track and install the magnetic errors, power the octupoles, match the tunes and the chromaticities...
   • to make the final twiss and prepare the input files for SixTrack.

The separation of the configuration parameters of the mask with the MADX code aims

• to improve the readability for the users that can focus on the input of the simulations,
• to define better interfaces for the maintenance of the MADX code.