Development of High Power RF Windows for Next-Generation Superconducting and Normal Conducting Accelerators--Advanced Energy Systems, Inc., 27 Industrial Blvd., Unite E, Medford, NY 11763-2286; 631-345-6264
Mr. Michael Cole, Principal Investigator
Mr. Anthony Favale, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82725
Amount: $635,411

High current, high duty factor accelerators have historically been plagued by the problem of transferring the necessary radio frequency (RF) power through the vacuum boundary between the RF transmission system and the high vacuum environment of the accelerator. The lower the maximum power transmitted per window, the more the windows required to deliver a certain amount of power. Therefore, a higher power window assembly means that fewer windows would be needed to deliver a certain amount of power; this would reduce the length (and hence cost) and complexity of the accelerator while improving its reliability. This project will integrate electromagnetic, thermal, and structural analysis with novel mechanical design, material utilization, and manufacturing techniques to develop a window assembly that combines high thermal conductivity, effective ceramic cooling, optimized ceramic shape, and optimized waveguide details. The goal is a window that is not limited by thermal effects. In Phase I, proof-of-process specimens were designed and fabricated to prove that all the necessary steps in the fabrication process could be achieved. In parallel, a detailed analysis of operational requirements for two candidate windows was executed, leading to a detailed design of a window built for the Department of Energy's Jefferson Laboratory accelerator. Phase II will design, fabricate, and test two statistically significant sets of windows for two window configurations.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A window assembly not limited by thermal effects would revolutionize the accelerator world by allowing much higher power input per unit length than currently possible. For superconducting systems in particular, significantly higher gradients with higher current could be produced, thereby improving overall cost, efficiency, and reliability of accelerator systems.