Van de Graaff Voltage Regulation via PID Control*

Efficient operation of the Gettysburg College 250 keV Van de Graaff proton accelerator depends upon steady dome voltages to maintain beam at desirable energies (50 - 200 keV); all current and future research necessitates reliable beam. Since our proton beam runs through an analyzing magnet, voltage fluctuations impact available beam on target. To compensate a novel Arduino control system utilizing dome and slit feedback signals has been implemented, complete with operator and PID controls as well as live visual feedback on a graphical user interface.