ILC Coupler Design

In accelerators used in High Energy Physics research, one problem involves the introduction of the radio frequency (RF) power required to accelerate a charged particle beam from the outside world into the ultrahigh vacuum beam environment. This problem is compounded for a superconducting RF (SRF) accelerator because the outer environment is at one atmosphere at 300 K, and the beam environment is at cryogenic temperatures and under ultra-high vacuum. Currently, the device used to accomplish this acceleration is an SRF power coupler, which generally is very expensive and unreliable. This project will design a prototype coupler that eliminates those processes that compromise coupler performance and reliability. Cost reduction will be achieved through the basic simplicity of the system and through anticipated ease of manufacturing. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The successful development of the concept should benefit future research, industrial, military, and medical applications of SRF accelerators.