Performance of the MTCA.4 Based LLRF System at FLASH

The Free Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) is the firstlinac which is equipped with a MicroTCA.4 based low levelRF control system. Precise regulation of RF fields is essen-tial for stable and reproducible photon generation. FLASHbenefits from the performance increase using the new devel-opments like, accurate and precise field detection devices.Further enormous increase of processing capabilities allowfor more sophisticated controller applications which betterthe overall performance of the regulation

Operation Experiences with the MICROTCA.4-based LLRF Control System at FLASH

The Free-Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Hamburg Germany is a user facility providing ultra-short, femtosecond laser pulses up to the soft X-ray wavelength range. For the precise regulation of the radio frequency (RF) fields within the 60 superconducting cavities, which are organized in 5 RF stations, digital low level RF (LLRF) control systems based on the MTCA.4 standard were implemented in 2013. Until now experiences with failures potentially due to radiation, overheating, and ageing as well as with the general operation of the control systems have been gained. These have a direct impact on the operation and on the performance of FLASH and will allow future improvements. The lessons learned are not only important for FLASH but also in the scope of European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (X-FEL), which will be operated with the same LLRF control system

European XFEL RF Gun Commissioning and LLRF Linac Installation

The European x-ray free electron laser (XFEL) is based on a 17.5 GeV super conducting pulsed linac and is scheduled to deliver its first beam in 2016. The first component of its accelerator chain, the RF gun, was installed in fall of 2013 and its commissioning is underway. This contribution gives an update on the low level radio frequency (LLRF) system development and installation for the XFEL. In particular, the installation, performance and conditioning results of the RF gun are presented. The subsequent steps toward LLRF components mass-production, testing and installation for the XFEL linac are also explained

Installation and First Commissioning of the LLRF System for the European XFEL

The installation of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) is finished, leaving place for its commissioning phase. This contribution summarizes the low-level radiofrequency (LLRF) commissioning with a special emphasis on the development of automation tools to support the commissioning of such a large scale accelerator. First results ofthe LLRF commissioning in the main linac are also given