The Electromagnetic Background Environment for the Interaction-point Beam Feedback System at the International Linear Collider

The Interaction Point (IP) feedback system is essential for maintaining the luminosity at the International Linear Collider (ILC). It is necessary to demonstrate the performance of the feedback beam position monitor (BPM) in an electron-positron pair background similar to that expected in the ILC interaction region (IR). We have simulated the ILC beam-beam interactions and used a GEANT model of the IR to evaluate the pair and photon flux incident on the BPM, for both the 2 mrad and 20 mrad crossing angle geometries. We present results as a function of the proposed machine parameter schemes, as well as for various system layouts within the IR. We plan to study the degradation of BPM resolution, and the long term survivability, in beam tests at End Station A at SLAC. To simulate the background environment of the ILC a 'spray beam' will be produced, which will scatter from a mechanical mock-up of the forward region of the IR, and irradiate the BPM with realistic flux of secondary pairs. We present the proposed experimental layout and planned beam tests.