Multipactor Breakdown Threshold Estimation Based on Circuital Models and Particle Simulations for Multicarrier Signals in RF Filters
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The first RF commissioning of 112 MHz QWR superconducting electron gun was done in late 2014. The coaxial Fundamental Power Coupler (FPC) and Cathode Stalk (stalk) were installed and tested for the first time. During this experiment, we observed several multipacting barriers at different gun voltage levels. The simulation work was done within the same range. The comparison between the experimental observation and the simulation results are presented in this paper. The observations during the test are consisted with the simulation predictions. We were able to overcome most of the multipacting barriers and reach 1.8 MV gun voltage under pulsed mode after several round of conditioning processes.
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The areas of activity are grouped by Task. Task 1 involved a study of the key physics issues associated with the use of high gradient dielectric-loaded accelerating (DLA) structures in rf linear accelerators, and was carried out in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Euclid Techlabs LLC; Task 2 involved a study of high-gain active microwave pulse compressors, and was carried out in collaboration with Omega-P, Inc. and the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The experiments were carried out in the X-band Magnicon Laboratory at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The studies under Task 1 were focused on multipactor and breakdown in externally driven DLA structures at the 200-ns timescale. Suppression of multipactor and breakdown are essential to the practical application of dielectric structures in rf linear accelerators. During the first year of this program, we carried out a study of a doubly tapered clamped quartz traveling-wave (TW) structure that operated at up to 15 MV/m without breakdown by eliminating dielectric joints, thus avoiding the joint breakdown that had characterized many earlier experiments. However, strong multipactor loading was observed in the structure. In the second year, we carried out a successful test of a TW DLA structure with a sputtered copper exterior coating that eliminated the need for a clamped metal enclosure to form the outer metallic boundary, thus simplifying the fabrication of the structure. In the second year, we also carried out the first test of a dielectric-loaded standing-wave (SW) accelerating structure. Multipactor loading limited the achievable accelerating gradient in the structure to 9 MV/m, but the SW structure proved to be a useful configuration for studying multipactor physics. To continue this study, a new standing-wave structure is in preparation that will permit direct measurements of the energy stored in the structure for new studies of multipactor physics. Finally, in the third year of the program, we focused on the suppression of multipactor loading using an applied axial magnetic field, as proposed by Chang et al. [C. Chang et al., J. Appl. Phys. 110, 063304 (2011).]. Chang used an analytic model and PIC simulations to show that an axial magnetic field can reduce the period of the secondary electron trajectories on the dielectric surface, and thus spoil the multipactor resonance condition. The optimum effect occurs when the ratio of the gyrofrequency to the rf frequency is in the range of ~ 0.7 to 1. For an X-band structure, this is equivalent to a solenoidal field of 2.8–4 kG. This approach to multipactor suppression is attractive because it maintains the advantages of a DLA structure and is independent of other accelerator parameters.
Mechanisms of arc formation have been analyzed and the critical electric fields for the multipactor effect calculated, compared to the experimental values and found to be within the normal operational space of the LH system on JET. It has been shown that the characteristic electron energy (20-1000)eV for the highest multipactor resonances (N = 4-9) are within the limits of secondary electron yield above 1 required for multipactoring. Electrons with these energies provide the highest gas desorption efficiency when hitting the waveguide walls. The effect of higher waveguide modes and magnetic field on the multipactor was also considered. The distribution function for electrons accelerated by LH waves in front of the launcher has been calculated. The field emission currents have been estimated and found to be small. It is proposed that emission of Fel5, 16 lines, which can be obtained with improved diagnostics, could be used to detect arcs that are missed by a protection system based on the reflected power. The reliability and time response of these signals are discussed. A similar technique based on the observation of the emission of low ionized atoms can be used for a fast detection of other undesirable events to avoid sputtering or melting of the plasma facing components such as RF antenna. These techniques are especially powerful if they are based on emission uniquely associated with specific locations and components.
Dielectric window breakdown is a serious challenge in high-power microwave (HPM) transmission and radiation. Breakdown at the vacuum/dielectric interface is triggered by multipactor and finally realized by plasma avalanche in the ambient desorbed or evaporated gas layer above the dielectric. Methods of improving breakdown thresholds are key challenges in HPM systems. First, the main theoretical and experimental progress is reviewed. Next, the mechanisms of multipactor suppression for periodic rectangular and triangular surface profiles by dynamic analysis and particle-in-cell simulations are surveyed. Improved HPM breakdown thresholds are demonstrated by proof-of-principle and multigigawatt experiments. The current theories and experiments of using dc magnetic field to resonantly accelerate electrons to suppress multipactor are also synthesized. These methods of periodic profiles and magnetic field may solve the key issues of HPM vacuum dielectric breakdown.
To research the dynamic course of multipactor suppression on the periodically patterned surface, tens of electron collision processes are tracked by numerical calculation. The influences of microwave frequency, amplitude of RF electric field, slope angle, the local field enhancement, and the tilted incident electric field on the multipactor suppression are studied by tracking multi-generation electrons' trajectories, hopping and flight time, collision energy, and secondary emission yield. Meanwhile, the dynamic processes of secondary electrons on the periodic surface are analyzed by particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation. The PIC results are consistent with the analytical results in which the electrons fly reciprocatingly between the slopes and impact on the slopes; the methods of increasing the slope angle, enlarging the RF field, and lowering the frequency in a certain range are helpful to enhance the multipactor suppression steadily and persistently.
We summarize recent progress in a program to develop externally powered dielectric-loaded accelerating (DLA) structures that can sustain high accelerating gradients. High-power RF tests of earlier structures showed strong multipactor loading. In addition, arcing at dielectric joints between the uniform DLA structure and matching sections at either end limited the achievable gradient. In this paper, we study the onset of multipactor in a DLA structure. We also study the effect of thin-film TiN coatings applied by atomic layer deposition and the effect of a reduction in the inner diameter of the structure. Test results of these structures show significant decreases in multipactor loading. We also test new structure designs that eliminate separate dielectric matching sections and, thus, the requirement for dielectric joints, including a DLA structure using a coaxial coupler and a clamped DLA structure. The clamped structure demonstrated a significantly improved gradient without breakdown.
Superconducting spoke cavities are prone to multipactor - resonant raise of a number of electrons due to secondary emission. Recently proposed and tested by TRIUMF balloon-type spoke cavity showed an outstanding multipactor (MP) suppression property but unfortunately serious Q degradation at high fields. A new fully developed design of a dressed balloon cavity which can be used for any proton linac SSR2 section is developed. The design incorporates additional EP ports for high Q-factor demonstration. Superior properties are demonstrated, such as effective multipactor suppression, 40% lower Lorentz force coefficient, zero sensitivity to external pressure. This paper presents the results of coupled structural Multiphysics analysis, and engineering design of the dressed balloon cavity with EP ports.
A 17 GHz single cell, standing wave, copper accelerator structure with an axisymmetric elliptical central cell sidewall was tested for internal and downstream dark current as a function of gradient up to 93 MV/m. The elliptical sidewall was predicted to suppress the internal dark current and the lower order multipactor modes as compared with a previously tested structure having a straight sidewall. During the conditioning phase of the elliptical sidewall structure, strong internal dark current generated by an N = 1 multipactor mode was observed at gradients in the 10 to 20 MV/m range. After conditioning with 2.2x10^5 pulses to 93 MV/m, the N = 1 mode was completely suppressed and no multipactor resonances were observed. The internal dark current was reduced to a comparatively low level, much smaller than in the previously studied, straight sidewall structure, in good agreement with simulations. The energy spectrum of the electrons colliding with the sidewall was measured using an isolated side dark current monitor and a bias voltage. As the conditioning progressed, the electron energy spectrum showed an increase in the concentration of lower energy electrons, also in good agreement with simulations. Studies of internal dark current may help to understand the rf conditioning and ultimate performance of high gradient accelerator structures.
This final report summarizes the research performed during the time period from 8/1/2010 to 7/31/2013. It consists of two parts describing our studies in two directions: (a) analysis of factors limiting operation of dielectric-loaded accelerating (DLA) structures where the main problem is the occurrence of multipactor on dielectric surfaces, and (b) studies of effects associated with either RF magnetic or RF electric fields which may cause the RF breakdown in high-gradient metallic accelerating structures. In the studies of DLA structures, at least, two accomplishments should be mentioned: the development of a 3D non-stationary, self-consistent code describing the multipactor phenomena and yielding very good agreement with some experimental data obtained in joint ANL/NRL experiments. In the metallic structures, such phenomena as the heating and melting of micro-particles (metallic dust) by RF electric and magnetic fields in single-shot and rep-rate regimes is analyzed. Also, such processes in micro-protrusions on the structure surfaces as heating and melting due to the field emitted current and the Nottingham effect are thoroughly investigated with the account for space charge of emitted current on the field emission from the tip.