Improvement of transmission-line-based fault locating for typical traveling-wave accelerator with constant-gradient structures

Abstract

Since RF breakdown is one of the primary limitations to improving the performances of RF accelerators, extensive efforts have been dedicated to locating the breakdowns. However, most existing methods rely on specialized techniques, resulting in high financial burdens. Although the method based on transient response of transmission line (TL) is suitable for facilities with sporadic recoverable breakdowns, practical operations are susceptible to notable errors. This study revisits the fundamental theories of lossless TL and investigates the wave process to understand the characteristics of the reversed pulse induced by the breakdowns. By utilizing steady-state response of the TL and employing phasor method, we derive analytical formulas to determine the exact location of breakdowns within the faulty cell for constant-gradient TW accelerator. Furthermore, the derived formulas demonstrate their independence from RF phase, thereby distinguishing them from traditional phase-based methods. Additionally, experimental validations are conducted at the HUST injector, and the results confirm the consistency of the analysis. Thus, the proposed method represents a promising improvement over the TL-based approaches and serves as a valuable complement to current techniques. Importantly, this method demonstrates particular advantages for constructed TW accelerators seeking to achieve a balance among high performance, low costs, and compact layouts.