Klystron modulator technology challenges for the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC)

This paper presents the research and development challenges foreseen for the klystron modulators design for a new accelerator complex, the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC). This huge electron-positron accelerator needs roughly 300MW of average power for feeding the 1638 required klystron modulators. The main challenges for designing theses new pulsed klystron modulators are described. Considering the state of the art in several domain such as converters topologies, voltage measurements precision, pulse-to-pulse reproducibility, AC power quality issues, efficiency maximization, accelerator reliability & availability, this paper illustrates the most challenging future developments directions and the need for an international and coordinated R&D program.