Investigation of the Stability of the RF Gun of the SSRL Injector System

Abstract

In the previous three years, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) has experienced electron beam instabilities in the injector system of the Stanford Positron Electron Asymmetric Ring (SPEAR). Currently, for approximately the past four months the radio frequency (RF) gun of the linear accelerator injector system of the SPEAR at SSRL has become increasingly unstable. The current of the RF gun has become progressively sluggish and the lifetime of the cathode within the RF gun has been much shorter than expected. The cathode also sustains many unexplained damages. The instability of the RF gun affects the entire operation of SPEAR, creating substantial inconvenience. Through mechanical, design, and procedural analysis of the RF gun and the cathode that emits the electron beam of the linear accelerator, a solution to prolong the life of the cathode and secure the stability of the gun can be found. The thorough analysis of the gun and cathode involves investigation into the history of cathode installation and removal through the years of SPEAR operation as well as interviews with SSRL personnel involved with the upkeep of the gun and cathode. From speaking with SSRL employees and reviewing several articles many possible causes for beam instability were presented.more » The most likely cause of the SSRL gun instability is excessive back bombardment that can be attributed to running the cathode at too high a temperature.« less