An X-band, Traveling Wave, Deflection Mode Cavity for Ultra-Fast Beam Manipulation and Diagnosis

Cutting-edge applications in high energy electron-beam-based physics, such as linear colliders, x-ray free-electron lasers, inverse compton scattering sources, and plasma wakefield accelerators, require beams with sub-picosecond pulses. These beams must be precisely diagnosed to be used for such advanced applications. While methods for the production of such beams are well-developed, the necessary diagnostics for accurate characterization are yet to be developed. In this project, a traveling-wave, x-band deflecting cavity will be designed to solve the problem of complete longitudinal measurement of ultra-short electron bunches. The approach will take advantage of the greater efficiency and compactness of X-band radio frequency (RF) structures. In Phase I, the RF structure was designed and a cold test prototype was built and tested. The results demonstrated the accuracy of the design and fabrication procedures. A plan for building and testing a full-power prototype was developed, and simulations were conducted to model the performance of the deflector. In Phase II, the full-power prototype of the X-band traveling wave deflector will be designed, engineered, and fabricated. The device will be installed at the Accelerator Test Facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory and beam-tested to measure its performance. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Investments from governments in North America, Europe and Asia, in linear colliders and X-ray Free Electron Lasers, may total in the billions of dollars over the next decade and beyond. The traveling wave X-band RF deflector would address a number of these systems¿ needs: ultra-short time scales, detailed information concerning beam phase spaces, and high energy operation. Further application of the device may be found in manipulating, through fast kicker ¿pulse-picking¿ techniques, high average power, multi-bunch train systems that are now being developed in high energy physics, light sources, and industrial and military applications of accelerators