A graphical approach to radio frequency quadrupole design

Abstract

The design of a radio frequency quadrupole, an important section of all ion accelerators, and the calculation of its beam dynamics properties can be achieved using the existing computational tools. These programs, originally designed in 1980s, show effects of aging in their user interfaces and in their output. The authors believe there is room for improvement in both design techniques using a graphical approach and in the amount of analytical calculations before going into CPU burning finite element analysis techniques. Additionally an emphasis on the graphical method of controlling the evolution of the relevant parameters using the drag-to-change paradigm is bound to be beneficial to the designer. A computer code, named DEMIRCI, has been written in C ++ to demonstrate these ideas. This tool has been used in the design of Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK)'s 1.5 MeV proton beamline at Saraykoy Nuclear Research and Training Center (SANAEM). DEMIRCI starts with a simple analytical model, calculates the RFQ behaviour and produces 3D design files that can be fed to a milling machine. The paper discusses the experience gained during design process of SANAEM Project Prometheus (SPP) RFQ and underlines some of DEMIRCI's capabilities.

Manufacturing, assembling and plasma cleaning of new SANAEM RFQ

“…The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (lately renamed as "Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency -TENMAK") initiated an RFQ Project known as the "SANAEM RFQ" in 2012 to develop expertise, manpower as well as design and manufacturing skills with the parameters given in table 1 [1].…”

Electromagnetic simulations, manufacturing and low power measurements of a 352.21 MHz RF power coupler for the SANAEM RFQ project

“…The commissioning tests of a "4-vane" type (consisting of four symmetrically placed electrodes in a cavity) RFQ cavity operating at 352.21 MHz ( f 0 ) are currently being conducted at TAEK under the SANAEM RFQ Project aiming to produce all the components of a proton beamline with national resources. The design requirements and target performances of the RFQ and the power coupler are given in table 1 [2]. The RF system consists of an RF power supply unit (PSU), an RF transmission line with its wide variety of components [3].…”

“…The line is finalized by a coupler (figure 1). 1 120 kW Power lost in the coupler 2 0.25% -Insertion loss Reflected power from the coupler 0.078% -Return loss 1 Taking into consideration the safety factor of 1.3 and the worst-case scenario. 2 Transmitted power loss in the coaxial transmission line of the coupler with plexiglass.…”

Design and manufacture of the RF power supply and RF transmission line for SANAEM project Prometheus

“…The SANAEM Project Prometheus (SPP) at the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK)'s Saraykoy Nuclear Research and Training Center (SANAEM), aims to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to construct a proton beamline needed for future necessities [1]. A Proof of Principle (PoP) accelerator with modest requirements of achieving at least 1 MeV proton energy, with a peak beam current of few tens of µA's is under development.…”