SBIR-STTR- RadiaBeam Systems-DOE-Radiation spectrometer for RF breakdown detection in THz linear accelerators

RadiaBeam Systems

1713 Stewart Street, Array, Santa Monica, CA, 90404

Name: Sergey Kutsaev
Title: Dr.
Phone: (310) 822-5845
Email: kutsaev@radiabeam.com

https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1212795

The future of high energy particle physics and Xray light sources for biological and material research require miniaturized linear accelerators that at present cannot be qualified using existing methods. Such miniaturized linear accelerates will be instrumental in managing the cost of future accelerator facilities. There is presently no suitable diagnostic for ensuring RF breakdowns are minimized during the commissioning stage of these miniaturized linacs. In response to this shortcoming, RadiaBeam proposes to develop and build an automated singleshot grating based spectrometer working in the terahertz regime of these new miniaturized linacs. Such a device will be capable of measuring the presence of an RF breakdown event and will be used as a feedback mechanism in the commissioning of these linacs. Such grating spectrometers exist in the visible and infrared regimes but recent advances in materials science and detector technology make this scheme extendable to the regime of interest on a cost effective basis. A proof of principle spectrometer was developed and tested with bench top sources. After calibration and bench testing, the spectrometer was used in the successful qualification of a terahertz linac at Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) beamline at SLAC. The shortcomings of the proof of concept device and potential additions were identified. Building on the success of the prooforprinciple demonstration, RadiaBeam will design and deploy a narrow band and wideband spectrometer for general THz instrumentation and terahertz linac qualification. The resulting spectrometers will be full commercial devices and will be tested at the THz test stand at the advanced Photon Source, and as an advanced RFBD diagnostic at MIT during the commissioning of a next generation terahertz linac. The proposed spectrometer will allow advancement of miniaturized terahertz linacs, allowing miniaturization of many future DOE accelerator facilities. In addition, the one of a kind single shot spectrometer developed here can be used in a wealth of complimentary fields, including terahertz instrumentation, bunch length diagnostics, drug discovery, and homeland security. Key Words THz, terahertz, mmwave, spectrometer, singleshot, Wband, linac. RadiaBeam Systems seeks to build a commercial quality THz spectrometer necessary to qualify the next generation of miniaturized particle accelerators. The spectrometer has additional applications in biology, drug discovery, security, and general instrumentation while serving the DOE mission of basic science.

SBIR-STTR-RadiaBeam Systems-DOE-Microwave Thermionic Electron Gun for Synchrotron Light Sources

RadiaBeam Systems

1713 Stewart Street, Array, Santa Monica, CA, 90404

Name: Sergey Kutsaev
Title: Dr.
Phone: (310) 822-5845
Email: kutsaev@radiabeam.com


https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1209295

Conventional thermionic RF guns can offer high average beam current, which is important for synchrotron light and THz radiation sources facilities, as well as for industrial accelerators. However, the thermionic RF guns are based on a decades old design, suffer from mechanical and thermal problems, and are generally due for a major upgrade and replacement. In response to this problem, RadiaBeam Systems proposes to design and build a new, more stable and reliable gun with optimized electromagnetic performance, improved thermal engineering and more robust cathode mounting technique. These tasks will be performed with cutting edge numerical modeling, multi-physics and beam dynamics simulation tools, and also using a proven design methodology developed by the company. This project is proposed as a Fast Track, since there is an immediate need to upgrade the thermionic injector at the Advanced Photon Source, where RadiaBeam and Argonne have jointly developed a tunable THz source. In the Phase I we will develop a prototype RF gun cavity with the improved RF contacts and exchangeable cathode back-plate, build the dummy cavity and RF stand to test the performance of the back-plate, frequency sensitivity, and tuning capability, using the available high power sources. In Phase II, a prototype thermionic RF injector will be fully engineered, fabricated, tested and integrated into the RadiaBeam/APS Terahertz radiation source. Synchrotron light facilities are critical part of the high impact scientific research infrastructure in the US. This project will provide a major upgrade for RF guns, which are used to drive this facilities, as well as emerging compact THz sources. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The goal of this project is to build an instrument that will be immediately used by Argonne National Laboratory in their work on improving stable and reliable operation of the Advanced Photon Source. This project also has an immediate impact on an existing joint APS-RadiaBeam THz radiator program, allowing increasing its power and frequency. In addition, a number of the light source facilities worldwide would be interested in replacing their thermionic RF injectors with an updated and improved version.