Robust RF Accelerator Structures at 34.272 GHZ

65073 Continued progress in high-energy physics demands a new generation collider, which in turn requires a new high-power, high-efficiency radio frequency source. The high peak power that is required can only be generated by using a pulse compressor. This project will develop a plasma switch for use with an 11.4 GHz, 0.5 GW peak power active pulse compressor, together with microwave circuits capable of storing and releasing the large energy pulses required. Although plasma switches with low-pressure gas fill have been successfully designed for X-band active microwave pulse compressors at peak power levels up to about 100 MW, a new switch design using high-pressure fill gas will be needed to extend operation up to about 0.5 GW. Phase I will design and test a prototype plasma switch with a high-pressure fill gas discharge tube, wherein a high-voltage pulse generator produces a seed plasma for the reliable breakdown of the discharge tube in intense pulsed microwave fields. Tests at the 100 kW level will be carried out with a non-high-vacuum version of active Bragg pulse compressors using both TE-01 and TE-02 mode storage cavities. The power gain and phase characteristics of the compressed pulse will be measured. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: In a future linear collider, several thousand high-power, high-efficiency microwave sources will be required. The adaption of active pulse compressors for use with the sources would represent a potential $50 million business opportunity. Active pulse compressors may allow savings over more conventional passive compressors since a high power compression ratio can be obtained using shorter waveguide storage elements.