150MW Magnicon for the Next Linear Collider

70121 This project will optimize the design of a 150 MW X-band magnicon, providing system simplification and cost savings. The design will be based on design codes and fabrication technologies used in the recent development of a 62 MW X-band magnicon. The critical radio frequency (rf) cavity and gun fields for the 150 MW version of the tube would be smaller than for the 75 MW klystron, and the magnicon efficiency would be higher. In Phase I, refined computations for the electron gun, rf cavities, and magnetic field system for the 150 MW X-band magnicon will be carried out, and an integrated design for the tube as a whole will be developed. The main objective will be to optimize operating efficiency while minimizing cathode current density and critical fields in the gun and the output cavity. A plan for subsequent construction, testing, and evaluation of a prototype also will be developed. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In a future linear collider, several thousand high-power, high-efficiency microwave amplifiers will be required. A 150 MW X-band magnicon for this application would represent a business opportunity of $100 million, but would be less costly than using 75 MW klystrons. Additional markets for magnicons could emerge for high-power testing of accelerator structures and components, and for industrial accelerators for pollution remediation and sterilization. Since each 150 MW magnicon could replace two klystrons in the Next Linear Collider, a considerable saving in capital and operating costs for the next generation high-energy particle accelerator would result.