X-Band Thermionic Cathode RF Gun at UTNL

Abstract

A compact Compton scattering hard X-ray source is being developed at Nuclear Engineering Research School (old Nuclear Engineering Research Laboratory). This is considered to be used in the medical scene in the future. This system consists of 50 MeV X-band electron linac and YAG laser to produce 40 keV (fundamental) and 80 keV (the second harmonic). The linac has a thermionic cathode X-band RF gun and an alpha magnet as an injector. Traveling wave tube accelerate the beam up to 50 MeV. The simulation shows the beam from the gun must be cut off its lower energy part. Alpha magnet with inner slits act as the role, and at the slit position 122 mm energy spread requirement was satisfied, but the charge became small. We must search better operation parameters. A test beam line to demonstrate production of Compton scattering hard X-ray is under construction. Conditioning of a thermionic cathode X-band RF gun is being proceeded. Feeding with 1.5 MW 100ns was achieved (6 MW 400ns is required for test).