A Novel Fabrication Technique for SRF Fundamental Power Couplers

Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) accelerators are now considered the device of choice for many of todays leading applications in high energy physics. High beam power accelerators currently operating (SNS), and under development (RHIC ERL and Cornell ERL), require ancillary components, such as the fundamental power coupler (FPC), to handle hundreds of kW of average power. These high average power levels, and their associated high thermal loads, result in high surface temperatures on the FPC, reducing the accelerating cavity stability and operating accelerating gradient. This project will investigate the applicability of a novel fabrication technique to produce nearly monolithic, thermally optimized high power FPC for SRF applications with enhancements in thermal handling using features such as internal cooling channels. Sample pieces produced with this new fabrication technique will be tested for mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, and general applicability to SRF components. A prototype FPC component, with enhanced features and suitable for high power testing will be designed.Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The applications of SRF accelerators include energy recovery linacs (ERLs), linear colliders (ILC), neutrino factories, spallation neutron sources, and rare isotope accelerators used in medicine, as well as imaging/analysis applications to homeland security. The technical approach developed in this project for FPCs may also be applied to other SRF components