Fast phase switching within the bunch train of the PHIN photo-injector at CERN using fiber-optic modulators on the drive laser

The future Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) e⁻/e⁺ collider is based on the two-beam acceleration concept, whereby interleaving electron bunches of the drive beam through a delay loop and combiner rings as well as high peak RF power at 12 GHz are created locally to accelerate a second beam, the main beam. One of the main objectives of the currently operational CLIC Test Facility (CTF3) is to demonstrate beam combination from 1.5 GHz to 12 GHz, which requires satellite-free fast phase-switching of the drive beam with sub-ns speed. The PHIN photo-injector, with the photo-injector laser, provides flexibility in the time structure of the electron bunches produced, by direct manipulation of the laser pulses. A novel fiber modulator-based phase-switching technique allows clean and fast phase-switch at 1.5 GHz. This paper describes the switching system based on fiber-optic modulators, and the measurements carried out on both the laser and the electron beam to verify the scheme.     

Demonstration of the high RF power production feasibility in the CLIC power extraction and transfer structure [PETS]

A fundamental element of the CLIC concept is two-beam acceleration, where RF power is extracted from a high current, low energy drive beam in order to accelerate the low current main beam to high energy [1]. The CLIC Power Extraction and Transfer Structure (PETS) is a passive microwave device in which bunches of the drive beam interact with the constant impedance of the periodically loaded waveguide and excite preferentially the synchronous mode. The RF power produced is collected downstream of the structure by means of the RF power extractor; it is delivered to the main linac using the waveguide network connecting the PETS to the main CLIC accelerating structures [2]. The PETS should produce 135 MW at 240 ns RF pulses at a very low breakdown rate: BDR <10⁻⁷/pulse/m.Over 2010, a thorough high RF power testing program was conducted in order to investigate the ultimate performance and the limiting factors for the PETS operation. The testing program is described and the results are presented.     

Instrumental developments for in situ breakdown experiments inside a scanning electron microscope

Electrical discharges in accelerating structures are one of the key issues limiting the performance of future high energy accelerators such as the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC). Fundamental understanding of breakdown phenomena is an important part of the CLIC feasibility study. The present work concerns the experimental study of breakdown using Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs). An SEM gives us the opportunity to achieve high electrical gradients of 1 kV/μm which corresponds to 1 GV/m by exciting a probe needle with a high voltage power supply and controlling the positioning of the needle with a linear piezo motor. The gap between the needle tip and the surface is controlled with sub-micron precision. A second electron microscope equipped with a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) is used to create surface corrugations and to sharpen the probe needle to a tip radius of about 50 nm. Moreover it is used to prepare cross-sections of a voltage breakdown area in order to study the geometrical surface damages as well as the elemental composition of the breakdown.     

Design of a new UHV all-metal joint for CLIC

All-metal joints are widely used in the vacuum systems of particle accelerators. The most common ConFlat^® design consists of a flat soft copper gasket captured between two stainless steel flanges with sharp edges (knives). The gasket is plastically deformed and a high contact pressure develops around knives to obtain leak tightness. For large accelerators, a high reliability and a cost-optimized design are required. A smooth internal transition between flanges is needed for the RF waveguides of the compact linear collider (CLIC), with limited deformation of the inner part of the gasket. We present the study of a flange meeting these requirements. First the finite element analysis (FEA) of the Stanford linear accelerator center (SLAC) X-band all-metal joint, which has a similar specification, is shown. Some drawbacks, such as non-homogeneous sealing properties, are highlighted. Then, a new joint design is described. FEA results are presented and are compared with experimental measurements carried out on prototypes.     

CLIC crab cavity design optimisation for maximum luminosity

The bunch size and crossing angle planned for CERN's compact linear collider CLIC dictate that crab cavities on opposing linacs will be needed to rotate bunches of particles into alignment at the interaction point if the desired luminosity is to be achieved. Wakefield effects, RF phase errors between crab cavities on opposing linacs and unpredictable beam loading can each act to reduce luminosity below that anticipated for bunches colliding in perfect alignment. Unlike acceleration cavities, which are normally optimised for gradient, crab cavities must be optimised primarily for luminosity. Accepting the crab cavity technology choice of a 12 GHz, normal conducting, travelling wave structure as explained in the text, this paper develops an analytical approach to optimise cell number and iris diameter.