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Enhanced Plasma Throughput for Superconducting Niobium Thin Film Deposition in RF Accelerator Cavities

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-07ER84741
Agency Tracking Number: 82992
Amount: $99,989.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 27
Solicitation Number: DE-PS02-06ER06-30
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
626 Whitney Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
United States
DUNS: 836439968
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Andrew Gerhan
 Mr
 (510) 483-4156
 gerhan@aasc.net
Business Contact
 Andrew Gerhan
Title: Mr
Phone: (510) 483-4156
Email: gerhan@aasc.net
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Radio frequency (RF) cavities, key components in particle accelerators for fundamental high energy physics research, increasingly utilize superconducting technology to achieve higher accelerating field gradients. Traditionally, superconducting RF cavities are made of niobium, which, although expensive and difficult to fabricate, is able to be formed into large mechanical structures. Recently, interest has been growing in replacing niobium cavities with copper cavities coated with thin superconducting niobium films. Coaxial energetic deposition (CED), a cathodic arc process, has been shown to be well-suited for this application, provided that macro-particles can be separated from the deposition ions and sufficiently high deposition rates can be achieved. Therefore, this project will further develop the CED process for coating the inside of copper RF accelerator cavities with high-quality niobium films. In Phase I, an active macro-particle filter will be developed and the process repetition rate will be increased, both to increase the process deposition rate. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The superconducting thin film coatings for accelerator cavities should reduce the development and operating costs of particle accelerators, and allow existing accelerators to achieve higher particle energies. The technology also should lead to enhanced coatings for other applications, for example, protective coatings for coal gasification, olefin manufacturing, and gun barrels for the military.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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