Upgrade of the LENS Proton LINAC: Commissioning and results

Abstract

The Indiana University Cyclotron Facility is operating a low energy neutron source which provides cold neutrons for material research and neutron physics as well as neutrons in the MeV energy range for the neutron radiation effects studies. Neutrons are being produced by a 7 MeV proton beam incident on a beryllium target. Since the first commissioning of the LENS Proton Delivery System (PDS) in December 2004 its performance has been significantly improved. The RF system of the accelerator has been upgraded by replacing 350 kW 425 MHz 12 tube amplifiers with two Litton 5773 klystron RF tubes capable of running at 425 MHz and 1.25 MW. Since the commissioning of the klystrons, a proton current of 25 mA at 7 MeV and 0.6% duty factor has been successfully delivered to the beryllium target. A future part of this upgrade will introduce a new 6 MeV DTL section to increase proton beam energy from 7 to 13 MeV. The 3 MeV RFQ and 4 MeV DTL will be powered by one klystron and the 6 MeV DTL will be powered by the second klystron. The expected output is 25 mA and 13 MeV of proton current at 0.6% duty factor. A second target station has been added to allow separate source optimization for the two primary research programs (cold neutrons and radiation effects). Other upgrades include increasing the RF duty factor to 3% through the installation of a new power supply for the klystrons. In this contribution we discuss the results of the commissioning of the new RF system, second beamline and second target station, as well as improvement in the beam parameters after these upgrades. The future plans will also be outlined.