The LEP2 superconducting RF system

The LEP2 superconducting RF system supplies at present about 2600 MV per turn to the electrons and positrons of the LEP beams, giving a beam energy largely above 90 GeV to create the desired massive W/sup /spl plusmn//-pairs for physics. It is by far the largest such system worldwide and a further upgrade is still under way to increase the W/sup /spl plusmn// production rate and cover new physics grounds. More than 10 MW RF power were routinely transmitted to the beam during last year´s smooth operation. The authors present the technical parts of this system: the cavities, couplers, tuners, cryostats, the cryogenics and the RF generation and distribution. They also report on operational experience and future plans.