Development of a Superconducting RF Multi-Spoke Cavities for Electron Linacs

Superconducting radio frequency (SRF) accelerating cavities are being successfully used for acceleration of electron beams worldwide. If today¿s multi­spoke accelerating structures could be applied to future SRF electron linacs, a further reduction in the accelerator¿s overall size could be achieved without compromising its performance. This project will develop a 500 MHz superconducting multi­spoke cavity capable of accelerating electrons to an energy of more then 7.5 MeV in a single unit. Phase I demonstrated technical feasibility by completing the preliminary cavity and cryomodule designs. An alternative design, which emphasized the electromagnetic properties of the accelerating structure instead of the simplification of fabrication, also was considered. Phase II will finalize the design, then fabricate and test the SRF multi­spoke cavity. Cryogenic tests will be carried out at Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory (JLAB) to make use of their test facilities and cryogenics systems. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: This new type of SRF multi­spoke cavity should create many new possibilities for scientific and industrial applications. In addition, compact accelerators utilizing SRF cavities should find use in a broad range of commercial applications, from x-­ray machines for cancer therapy and sterilization to tunable x-­ray and gamma sources, to high energy electron accelerators