Commissioning the 2.5-MeV RFD linac prototype

The experience of commissioning a 2.5-MeV, “Proof-of-Principle” prototype of the new RFD linac structure is reported. This structure resembles a drift tube linac (DTL) with radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) focusing incorporated into each drift tube, hence the name, RF Focused Drift tube (or RFD) Linac. A prototype of this structure, comprising a 25-keV proton ion source, an Einzel-lens-based LEBT, a 0.65-m-long RFQ linac to 0.8 MeV, and a 0.35-m-long RFD linac to 2.5 MeV, has been designed, fabricated, assembled, and commissioned in our laboratory. Comparisons are made between the projected and observed performances of this structure. The effect of this new linac structure on the size, cost and complexity of linac-based systems for practical applications is described. Plans for the use of this new linac structure to satisfy several scientific, industrial and medical applications are outlined