Beam commissioning of the SARAF Injector and MEBT (protons)

Abstract

The SARAF Phase II cryogenic linear accelerator (linac) is currently under construction and will be commissioned through collaborative efforts between SNRC and CEA. The linac will accelerate a 5 mA pulsed/continuous wave (CW) proton and deuteron beam, reaching energies of up to 35 MeV and 40 MeV, respectively. The linac injector consists of Phase I components, including an ECR ion source, a Low-Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) line, and a 4-rod Radio Frequency Quadruple (RFQ). Additionally, a new Medium Energy Beam Transport (MEBT) line has been installed and integrated into the injector infrastructure. The MEBT includes three rebuncher resonators, magneto-optical elements, and beam diagnostics. The MEBT beam diagnostics, as well as the Phase I D-plate installed downstream, were used for beam characterization. The downstream-installed Temporary Beam Line (TBL) and a prototype of the Gallium Indium Liquid Target (GALIT) were used for commissioning, operating at high beam duty cycles, including CW mode. The report describes the proton beam commissioning process of the injector prior to the delivery of the cryomodules, scheduled for the second half of 2023.