Advanced Klystrons for High Efficiency Accelerator Systems

Advanced particle accelerators require very high efficient RF systems in order to be economically feasible. Current systems couple much less than 100% of the energy produced by the klystrons to the accelerator cavities. Calabazas Creek Research Inc. (CCR) is proposing to investigate use of shortening and tailoring the pulse shape of klystrons to efficiently drive accelerator cavities. Increases in system efficiency by as much as a factor of 2 may be possible. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Accelerators can require hundreds of high power klystrons. They are prodigious users of power (some using over 100 MW), and thus small increases in efficiency can result in very significant reductions in the operating cost. If the program is successful, the technology developed could be used in the next generation of accelerators.