High gradient off-axis coupled C-band Cu and CuAg accelerating structures

Abstract

We report the high gradient testing results of two single-cell off-axis coupled standing wave accelerating structures. Two brazed standing wave off-axis coupled structures with the same geometry were tested: one made of pure copper (Cu) and one made of a copper–silver (CuAg) alloy with a silver concentration of 0.08%. A peak surface electric field of 450 MV/m was achieved in the CuAg structure for a klystron input power of 14.5 MW and a 1 μs pulse length, which was 25% higher than the peak surface electric field achieved in the Cu structure. The superb high gradient performance was achieved because of the two major optimizations in the cavity's geometry: (1) the shunt impedance of the cavity was maximized for a peak surface electric field to accelerating gradient ratio of ∼2 for a fully relativistic particle, and (2) the peak magnetic field enhancement due to the input coupler was minimized to limit pulse heating. These tests allow us to conclude that C-band accelerating structures can operate at peak fields similar to those at higher frequencies while providing a larger beam iris for improved beam transport.