FIRST BEAM ACCELERATION IN KOLKATA SUPERCONDUCTING CYCLOTRON AND ITS PRESENT STATUS

VECC, Kolkata were integrated by May 2009. After achieving the required vacuum and Dee voltage a series of internal beam trials were started. The beam was accelerated to full extraction radius on August 25th and beam confirmed by neutron measurements. The trials were not without difficulty and several problems did crop up during the initial phase. With minor modifications vacuum of the order of 10-7 mbar was obtained. Major problems encountered were related to obtaining sufficient Dee voltages primarily due to ceramic insulator cracking at moderate power levels leading to vacuum breakdown. Earlier the 14 GHz ECR ion source was connected with 23 metre injection line without much difficulty. An analogue beam was also accelerated before taking a shutdown for installation of extraction system and major augmentation of cryogenic plant. Presently extraction of the beam is being tried. It is planned to transport the beam to already installed first experimental station.IMP;Chinese Academy of Science