Lower Temperature Annealing of Vapor Diffused Nb\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3eSn for Accelerator Cavities

Nb3Sn is a next-generation superconducting material for the accelerator cavities with higher critical temperature and superheating field, both twice compared to Nb. It promises superior performance and higher operating temperature than Nb, resulting in significant cost reduction. So far, the Sn vapor diffusion method is the most preferred and successful technique to coat niobium cavities with Nb3Sn. Although several post-coating techniques (chemical, electrochemical, mechanical) have been explored to improve the surface quality of the coated surface, an effective process has yet to be found. Since there are only a few studies on the post-coating heat treatment at lower temperatures, we annealed Nb3Sn-coated samples at 800 C - 1000 C to study the effect of heat treatments on surface properties, primarily aimed at removing surface Sn residues. This paper discusses the systematic surface analysis of coated samples after annealing at temperatures between 850 C and 950 C

Surface Properties and RF Performance of Vapor Diffused Nb₃Sn On NB After Sequential Anneals Below 1000 °C

Nb₃Sn is a next-generation superconducting material that can be used for future superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) accelerator cavities, promising better performance, cost reduction, and higher operating temperature than Nb. The Sn vapor diffusion method is currently the most preferred and successful technique to coat niobium cavities with Nb₃Sn. Among post-coating treatments to optimize the coating quality, higher temperature annealing without Sn is known to degrade Nb₃Sn because of Sn loss. We have investigated Nb₃Sn/Nb samples briefly annealed at 800-1000 °C, for 10 and 20 minutes to potentially improve the surface to enhance the performance of Nb₃Sn-coated cavities. Following the sample studies, a coated single-cell cavity was sequentially annealed at 900 °C and tested its performance each time, improving the cavity’s quality factor relatively. This paper summarizes the sample studies and discusses the RF test results from sequentially annealed SRF Nb₃Sn/Nb cavity

Nb\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3eSn Coating of Twin Axis Cavity for Accelerator Applications

A Superconducting twin axis cavity consisting of two identical beam pipes that can accelerate and decelerate beams within the same structure has been proposed for the Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) applications. There are two niobium twin axis cavities at JLab fabricated with the intention of later Nb₃Sn coating and now we are progressing to coat them using vapor diffusion method. Nb₃Sn is a potential alternate material for replacing Nb in SRF cavities for better performance and reducing operational costs. Because of advanced geometry, larger surface area, increased number of ports and hard to reach areas of the twin axis cavities, the usual coating approach developed for typical elliptical single-axis cavities must be evaluated and requires to be adjusted. In this contribution, we report the first results from the coating of a twin axis cavity and discuss current challenges with an outlook for the future