Superconducting RF cavity R&D for a separated kaon beam at Fermilab

Fermilab is considering the implementation of a high flux pure kaon beam in order to study rare K^± decays and to produce K₀ beams for K_L-K_S interference experiments. The 22-25 GeV/c kaon beam is produced using an RF cavity beam separator scheme which rejects most of the more numerous pions and protons emitted from the production target. With a beam spill time of 1 sec out of 3 sec, superconducting cavities are preferred for providing the required transverse deflection. Although the separator scheme is not a new idea, the technology involved with this program will push the envelope of RF superconductivity technology. Cavities operating at 3.9 GHz in the TM 110 π mode are under evaluation. An R&D program to construct and test these cavities has been initiated. A goal of 5 MV/m deflection has been chosen. Description of the superconducting RF R&D program and status is given