Sparking rate studies and spark breakdown protection studies with a cw radiofrequency quadrupole linac

Author

Bolme, G.O. ; Carathers, J.R. ; Hansborough, L.D. ; Hardek, T.W. ; Hodgkins, D.J. ; Keffeler, D.R. ; Sherman, J.D. ; Smith, H.V. ; Stevens, R.R. ; Young, L.M. ; Zaugg, T.J. ; Balleyguier, P.P. ; Arvin, A.H. ; Bolt, A.S. ; Richards, M.C. ; Kamperschroer, J

Author_Institution

Los Alamos Nat. Lab., NM, USA

Volume

2

fYear

1999

fDate

1999

Firstpage

1447

Abstract

A high-current, cw linear accelerator has been proposed as a spallation neutron source driver for tritium production. Key features of this accelerator are high current (100 mA), low emittance-growth beam propagation, cw operation, high efficiency, and minimal downtime. A 268 MHz, cw radiofrequency quadrupole (RFQ) LINAC section and klystrode based RF system was obtained from the Chalk River Laboratories and was recommissioned at LANL to support systems development and advanced studies in support of cw, proton accelerators. System protections were previously installed to preclude damage to the RFQ at the large stored energies, high field levels, and intense powers sustained under cw operation. An RF power blanking system has proven effective in quenching the damaging, sustained arcs following structure sparkdowns. A detailed study of the sparking rate and the RF blanking parameters has demonstrated that a cw RFQ can be maintained under almost continuous operation with minimal interruptions from spark induced transients or shutdowns

Keywords

accelerator cavities; linear accelerators; machine protection; proton accelerators; sparks; 100 mA; 268 MHz; RF blanking parameters; RF power blanking system; cw operation; cw proton accelerators; cw radiofrequency quadrupole linac; klystrode based RF system; low emittance-growth beam propagation; spallation neutron source driver; spark breakdown protection studies; spark induced transients; sparking rate studies; structure sparkdowns; system protections; Blanking; Electric breakdown; Linear accelerators; Linear particle accelerator; Neutrons; Particle beams; Production; Protection; Radio frequency; Sparks;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Particle Accelerator Conference, 1999. Proceedings of the 1999

Conference_Location

New York, NY

Print_ISBN

0-7803-5573-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PAC.1999.795577

Filename

795577