Fabrication of a prototype medium-beta, 700 MHz APT superconducting RF cavity with industry

Abstract

We have designed and fabricated a prototype β = 0.64, 700 MHz, 5-cell superconducting cavity in support of the Engineering Development and Demonstration (ED&D) effort for the Accelerator Production of Tritium (APT) project. The design incorporates all of the features of the production cavities. To develop future potential U.S. suppliers for the production cavities, a technology transfer program was initiated. In the first phase of the program the U.S. suppliers are using LANL supplied tooling, expertise, and niobium to fabricate the same prototype cavity. This paper addresses our experience in the fabrication of the ED&D cavity. It also describes interactions with various industries involved in the fabrication of other cavity components.