High Gradient Superconducting Cavity with Low Surface EM Fields and Well-Suppressed HOMS for the ILC

We present an optimized geometry for a 1.3 GHz superconducting cavity in which the surface electromagnetic fields have been minimized and the bandwidth of the fundamental mode has been maximized. We refer to this design as the New Low Surface Field (NLSF) cavity. Earlier work focused on properties of the fundamental mode. Here we additionally study higher order modes (HOMs), means of damping them, and short range wake fields. A two-band circuit model is employed in order to facilitate rapid characterization of cavity HOMs.Comment: Presented at First International Particle Accelerator Conference, IPAC'10, Kyoto, Japan, from 23 to 28 May 201

Hie-Isolde High Beta Cavity Study and Measurements

The upgrade of the ISOLDE machine at CERN foresees a superconducting linac based on two gap independently phased Nb sputtered Quarter Wave Resonators (QWRs) working at 101.28MHz and producing an accelerating field of 6MV/m on axis. A careful study of the fields in the cavity has been carried out in order to pin down the crucial e-m parameters of the structure such as peak fields, quality factor and e-m power dissipated on the cavity wall. A tuning system with about 200kHz frequency range has been developed in order to cope with fabrication tolerances. In this paper we will report on the cavity simulations. The tuning plate design will be described. Finally the frequency measurements on a cavity prototype at room temperature will be presented.Comment: 5 pages, SRF09 Conference in Berli

SRF cavity geometry optimization for the ILC with minimized surface e.m. fields and superior bandwidth

The main linacs of the ILC consist of nine-cell cavities based on the TESLA design. In order to facilitate reaching higher gradients we have re-designed the cavity shape. This leads to a reduction, comparable to several current designs, in both the ratio of the surface electric field to the accelerating field (Es/Ea) and the magnetic field to the accelerating field (Bs/Ea). The bandwidth of the accelerating mode is also optimized. This new shape, which we refer to as the New Low Surface Field (NLSF) design, bears comparison with the Ichiro, Re-entrant and LSF designs.Comment: Presented at the 23rd Particle Accelerator Conference (PAC09) Vancouver, Canad

Third Harmonic Cavity Modal Analysis

Third harmonic cavities have been designed and fabricated by FNAL to be used at the FLASH/XFEL facility at DESY to minimise the energy spread along the bunches. Modes in these cavities are analysed and the sensitivity to frequency errors are assessed. A circuit model is employed to model the monopole bands. The monopole circuit model is enhanced to include successive cell coupling, in addition to the usual nearest neighbour coupling. A mode matching code is used to facilitate rapid simulations, incorporating fabrication errors. Curves surfaces are approximated by a series of abrupt transitions and the validity of this approach is examinedComment: Proceedings of 14th International Conference on RF Superconductivity (SRF 2009), 2009, Berlin, German

The applicability of MFD thrusters to satellite power systems

The high power self field MPD thruster uses electromagnetic forces rather than electrostatic to accelerate a neutral plasma. The most attractive application of MPD thrusters to satellite power systems is in the area of electric propulsion for a cargo orbit transfer vehicle (COTV). Calculations were performed in order to compare the performance of a COTV using an ion or MPD propulsion system. Results show that the MPD propulsion system gives a shorter trip time with the same power and payload when compared to the ion thruster propulsion system at either value of specific impulse. More important than the trip time benefit may be the advantage a MPD propulsion system provides in system simplicity. Another interesting COTV concept using MPD thrusters is the use of a remote power supply located on the Earth, at GEO, or somewhere in between to transmit power to the COTV in a microwave transmission. The specific impulse at thrust levels of tens of newtons makes a MPD propulsion system a candidate for stationkeeping and attitude control of large space structures such as a SPS

The design and development of a release mechanism for space shuttle life-science experiments

The design, development, and testing of a release mechanism for use in two life science experiments on the Spacelab 1, 4, and D1 missions is described. The mechanism is a self latching ball lock device actuated by a linear solenoid. An unusual feature is the tapering of the ball lock plunger to give it a near constant breakout force for release under a wide range of loads. The selection of the design, based on the design requirements, is discussed. A number of problems occurred during development and test, including problems caused by human factors that became apparent after initial delivery for crewtraining sessions. These problems and their solutions are described to assist in the design and testing of similar mechanisms