High-Efficiency, High Average Power Inductive Output Tubes

Better RF sources are required for ion and proton accelerators and colliders. Only klystrons are currently available; however, they are very large and expensive at frequencies below 1 GHz. Smaller, less expensive, and higher efficiency sources are required for new programs. Inductive output tubes operate in this frequency range, but they cannot provide sufficient power because of grid fabrication issues and inherently low gain. Calabazas Creek Research Inc. (CCR) is proposing to apply multiple beam technology and an innovative power splitter to increase the RF power of inductive output tubes (IOTs). The program will investigate technologies to precisely drive the multiple guns at the same phase and amplitude and increase the gain. The primary goal is to achieve an efficiency exceeding 80%.Multiple beam IOTs would be applicable to a number of new accelerator systems, including the European Spallation Source, the Advanced Photon Source upgrade, India Spallation Source, and eRHIC. These RF sources would dramatically reduce both construction and operating cost.