LI material testing- fermilab antiproton source litihum collection lens

The lithium collection lens is a high current (greater than 0.5 MA), pulsed device used to focus antiprotons just downstream of the production target. Pre-mature failure of these lenses has led to extensive efforts, to understand the cause of the failures. One of the main unknowns is the structural behavior of lithium under such extreme loading conditions. Lithium can be categorized as a soft or "plastic" solid with relatively low modulus of elasticity and yield strength. Very little is available on its nonlinear and viscoplastic (rate dependent) structural properties. Tests were conducted to determine the rate dependent tensile behavior and creep response of lithium at various temperatures. Results of these tests are presented.