• J. Guo, D.W. Martin, S.G. Tantawi, C. Yoneda
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California

Superconducting RF is increasingly important for particle accelerators. A lot of effort has been made in the SRF material research recently, aiming to find the superconducting materials with better performance. We developed a testing system using a resonant cavity with high quality factor and an interchangeable wall for the testing of different materials. The system is capable for high power RF cryogenic test to find the critical magnetic field at different temperature. The facility can be also used on testing the low temperature properties of the normal conducting material. Different Cu, Nb and MgB2 samples have been tested. In this paper, we will present the most recent development of the system, along with a discussion on the recent testing results.

• F.V. Hartemann, F. Albert, S.G. Anderson, C.P.J. Barty, A.J. Bayramian, T.S. Chu, R.R. Cross, C.A. Ebbers, D.J. Gibson, R.A. Marsh, D.P. McNabb, M. J. Messerly, M. Shverdin, C. Siders
  LLNL, Livermore, California
• E.N. Jongewaard, T.O. Raubenheimer, S.G. Tantawi, A.E. Vlieks
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California
• V. A. Semenov
  UCB, Berkeley, California

Recent progress in accelerator physics and laser technology have enabled the development of a new class of tunable gamma-ray light sources based on Compton scattering between a high-brightness, relativistic electron beam and a high intensity laser pulse produced via chirped-pulse amplification (CPA). A precision, tunable Mono-Energetic Gamma-ray (MEGa-ray) source driven by a compact, high-gradient X-band linac is currently under development and construction at LLNL. High-brightness, relativistic electron bunches produced by an X-band linac designed in collaboration with SLAC will interact with a Joule-class, 10 ps, diode-pumped CPA laser pulse to generate tunable γ-rays in the 0.5-2.5 MeV photon energy range via Compton scattering. This MEGa-ray source will be used to excite nuclear resonance fluorescence in various isotopes. Applications include homeland security, stockpile science and surveillance, nuclear fuel assay, and waste imaging and assay. The source design, key parameters, and current status are presented, along with important applications, including nuclear resonance fluorescence, photo-fission, and medical imaging.

• V.A. Dolgashev, S.G. Tantawi, A.D. Yeremian
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California
• Y. Higashi
  KEK, Ibaraki
• B. Spataro
  INFN/LNF, Frascati (Roma)

We report results of ongoing high power tests of single cell standing wave structures. These tests are part of an experimental and theoretical study of rf breakdown in normal conducting structures at 11.4 GHz. The goal of this study is to determine the accelerating gradient capability of normal-conducting rf powered particle accelerators. The test setup consists of reusable mode-launchers and short test structures powered by SLAC's XL-4 klystron. We have tested structures of different geometries, cell joining techniques, and materials, including hard copper alloys and molybdenum. We found that the behavior of the breakdown rate is reproducible for different structures of the same geometry and material. The breakdown rate dependence on peak magnetic fields is stronger than on peak surface electric fields for structures of different geometries.

• A.E. Vlieks, V.A. Dolgashev, S.G. Tantawi
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California
• S.G. Anderson, F.V. Hartemann, R.A. Marsh
  LLNL, Livermore, California

In support of the T-REX program at LLNL and the High Gradient research program at SLAC, a new X-band multi-cell RF gun is being developed. This gun, similar to an earlier gun developed at SLAC for Compton X-ray source program, will be a standing wave structure made of 5.5 cells operating in the pi mode with copper cathode. This gun was designed following criteria used to build SLAC X-band high gradient accelerating structures. It is anticipated that this gun will operate with surface electric fields on the cathode of 200MeV/m with low breakdown rate. RF will be coupled into the structure through a symmetric final cell with a shape optimized to eliminable both dipole and quadruple field components. In addition, geometry changes to the original gun, operated with Compton X-ray source, will include a wider RF mode separation, reduced surface electric and magnetic fields.

• A.D. Yeremian, V.A. Dolgashev, S.G. Tantawi
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California

SLAC participates in the U.S. High Gradient collaboration whose charter includes basic studies of rf breakdown properties in accelerating structures. These studies include experiments with different materials and construction methods for single cell standing wave accelerating structures. The most commonly used method of joining cells of such structures is the high temperature bonding and/or brazing in hydrogen and/or vacuum. These high temperature processes may not be suitable for some of the new materials that are under consideration. We propose to build structures from cells with an rf choke, taking the cell-to-cell junction out of the electromagnetic field region. These cells will be clamped together in a vacuum enclosure, the choke joint ensuring continuity of rf currents. Next, we propose a structure with a choke joint in a high gradient cell and a view port which may allow us microscopic, in-situ observation of the metal surface during high power tests. And third, we describe the design of a TM01 choke flange for these structures.

• T. Higo, Y. Higashi, S. Matsumoto, K. Yokoyama
  KEK, Ibaraki
• C. Adolphsen, V.A. Dolgashev, A. Jensen, L. Laurent, S.G. Tantawi, F. Wang, J.W. Wang
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California
• S. Döbert, A. Grudiev, G. Riddone, W. Wuensch, R. Zennaro
  CERN, Geneva

A CERN-SLAC-KEK collaboration on high gradient X-band accelerator structure development for CLIC has been ongoing for three years. The major outcome has been the demonstration of stable 100 MV/m gradient operation of a number of CLIC prototype structures. These structures were fabricated basically using the technology developed from 1994 to 2004 for the GLC/NLC linear collider initiative. One goal has been to refine the essential parameters and fabrication procedures needed to realize such high gradient routinely. Another goal has been to develop structures with stronger dipole mode damping than those for GLC/NLC. The latter requires that surface temperature rise during the pulses be higher, which may increase the breakdown rate. Structures with heavy damping will be tested in late 2009/early 2010, and this paper will present these results together with some of the earlier results from non-damped structures and structures built with a quadrant geometry.

• T.S. Chu, S.G. Anderson, C.P.J. Barty, D.J. Gibson, F.V. Hartemann, R.A. Marsh, C. Siders
  LLNL, Livermore, California
• C. Adolphsen, E.N. Jongewaard, T.O. Raubenheimer, S.G. Tantawi, A.E. Vlieks, J.W. Wang
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California

A Mono-Energetic Gamma-Ray Compton scattering light source is being developed at LLNL. The electron beam for the interaction will be generated by a X-band RF gun and LINAC at the frequency of 11.424 GHz. High power RF in excess of 500 MW is needed to accelerate the electrons to energy of 250 MeV or greater. Two high power klystrons, each capable of generating 50 MW, 1.5 msec pulses, will be the main RF sources for the system. These klystrons will be powered by state of the art solid-state high voltage modulators. A RF pulse compressor, similar to the SLED II pulse compressor, will compress the klystron output pulse with a power gain factor of five. For compactness consideration, we are looking at a folded RF line. The goal is to obtain 500 MW at output of the compressor. The compressed pulse will then be distributed to the RF gun and to six traveling wave accelerator sections. Phase shifter and amplitude control are located at the RF gun input and additional control points along the LINAC to allow for parameter control during operation. This high power RF system is being designed and constructed. In this paper, we will present the design, layout, and status of this RF system.

• R.A. Marsh, S.G. Anderson, C.P.J. Barty, T.S. Chu, C.A. Ebbers, D.J. Gibson, F.V. Hartemann
  LLNL, Livermore, California
• C. Adolphsen, E.N. Jongewaard, T.O. Raubenheimer, S.G. Tantawi, A.E. Vlieks, J.W. Wang
  SLAC, Menlo Park, California

In support of Compton scattering gamma-ray source efforts at LLNL, a multi-bunch test stand is being developed to investigate accelerator optimization for future upgrades. This test stand will enable work to explore the science and technology paths required to boost the current 10 Hz mono-energetic gamma-ray (MEGa-Ray) technology to an effective repetition rate exceeding 1 kHz, potentially increasing the average gamma-ray brightness by two orders of magnitude. Multiple bunches must be of exceedingly high quality to produce narrow-bandwidth gamma-rays. Modeling efforts will be presented, along with plans for a multi-bunch test stand at LLNL. The test stand will consist of a 5.5 cell X-band rf photoinjector, single accelerator section, and beam diagnostics. The photoinjector will be a high gradient standing wave structure, featuring a dual feed racetrack coupler. The accelerator will increase the electron energy so that the emittance can be measured using quadrupole scanning techniques. Multi-bunch diagnostics will be developed so that the beam quality can be measured and compared with theory. Design will be presented with modeling simulations, and layout plans.