Manufacture of fast-pulsed magnets for the SLC damping rings

A second-generation fast kicker magnet (and its power supply) was designed by Fermilab for the SLC (Stanford Linear Collider) electron damping ring. The requirements were to inject and extract two bunches of electrons, with the following magnetic field specifications: integral peak magnetic field=0.021 T-m; rise/fall time (0-100%)=56.03 ns maximum; and `flat-top´ duration=61.63 ns. Many of the early problems with these magnets have been studied intensely, and substantial progress has been made. In particular, vacuum potting with room-temperature curing silicone rubber (RTV) has been refined to give reliable high-voltage service up to 18 kV/mm, and lifetimes of about a year despite stored beam intensities of 3×10¹⁰ electrons/bunch at 120 pps. Further improvements in RTV formulation are suggested, and the direction of future insulation-system development is indicated