The LEIR RF System

The lead-lead physics program of LHC relies on major changes of the CERN ion injector chain. In this framework, the conversion of LEAR (low energy antiproton ring) into the Low Energy Ion Ring (LEIR) is central and implies a new accelerating system covering a wide frequency range (0.35 - 5 MHz) with a moderate voltage (4 kV). For this purpose two new wide-bandwidth cavities, loaded with Finemet® magnetic alloy cores, have been built in collaboration with KEK. Two 60 kW RF power amplifiers have also been built and the RF systems are now installed in the LEIR ring. They individually cover the whole frequency range without tuning and allow multi-harmonic operation. The design has been guided by need of safety margins, reliability and ease of maintenance. Some design aspects are presented as well as the performance achieved