Compact Energy Recovery Linac Research Articles

Experimental exploration of compressed beam dynamics in an energy recovery linac with comparison to simulations

The compact energy recovery linac (cERL) has been developed for industrial applications since 2017. Applications such as free electron laser require a compressed beam with a small energy spread and transverse emittance. The typical operation energy of cERL is an intermediate energy region close to 17.5 MeV; therefore, the electron bunch is easily affected by the longitudinal space-charge effects and the coherent synchrotron radiation wakefield effects. Bunch compression is demonstrated by optimizing a combination of a longitudinally chirped electron bunch and the arcs with nonzero ${R}_{56}$ parameters. When the bunch compression procedure is applied for a bunch charge of 60 pC, an increase in energy spread is observed at the short bunch length. We systematically explored the chirp phase to determine the best condition. The measurement results of the energy spread, bunch length, and transverse emittance were compared with the tracking simulation results to understand the compressed beam dynamics.

Construction and commissioning of mid-infrared self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser at compact energy recovery linac.

The mid-infrared range is an important spectrum range where materials exhibit a characteristic response corresponding to their molecular structure. A free-electron laser (FEL) is a promising candidate for a high-power light source with wavelength tunability to investigate the nonlinear response of materials. Although the self-amplification spontaneous emission (SASE) scheme is not usually adopted in the mid-infrared wavelength range, it may have advantages such as layout simplicity, the possibility of producing a single pulse, and scalability to a short-wavelength facility. To demonstrate the operation of a mid-infrared SASE FEL system in an energy recovery linac (ERL) layout, we constructed an SASE FEL setup in cERL, a test facility of the superconducting linac with the ERL configuration. Despite the adverse circumstance of space charge effects due to the given boundary condition of the facility, we successfully established the beam condition at the undulators and observed FEL emission at a wavelength of 20 μm. The results show that the layout of cERL has the potential for serving as a mid-infrared light source.

Application of disturbance observer-based control on pulsed superconducting radio frequency cavities

A disturbance observer (DOB)-based control approach was verified using the low-level radio-frequency systems of superconducting (SC) cavities operated in a continuous wave (CW) mode in a compact energy recovery linac (cERL) at KEK. This approach compensates for both predictable and unpredictable disturbances in a radio frequency (rf) system such as beam loading, Lorentz force detuning, and microphonics. This paper generalizes the DOB method in pulsed SC rf systems in the cERL at KEK. The results show that the pulse-to-pulse stabilities of the rf system are improved as expected by using this control approach. Furthermore, this method is validated by successfully compensating long pulse beam-loading effects in cERL.

Measurement of bunch length and temporal distribution using accelerating radio frequency cavity in low-emittance injector

We demonstrate an experimental methodology for measuring the temporal distribution of pico-second level electron bunch with low energy using radial electric and azimuthal magnetic fields of an accelerating (hbox {TM}_{01} mode) radio frequency (RF) cavity that is used for accelerating electron beams in a linear accelerator. In this new technique, an accelerating RF cavity provides a phase-dependent transverse kick to the electrons, resulting in the linear coupling of the trajectory angle with the longitudinal position inside the bunch. This method does not require additional devices on the beamline since it uses an existing accelerating cavity for the projection of the temporal distribution to the transverse direction. We present the theoretical basis of the proposed method and validate it experimentally in the compact-energy recovery linac accelerator at KEK. Measurements were demonstrated using a 2-cell superconducting booster cavity with a peak on-axis accelerating field (E_0) of 7.21 MV/m.

RF commissioning of the compact energy recovery linac superconducting cavities in pulse mode

At the KEK compact energy recovery linac (cERL), a new beam line to produce radioisotopes (RIs) was constructed. To increase the beam energy for RI production, we proposed to switch the operation mode from continuous-wave mode to pulse mode. The first commissioning test of the cERL superconducting radio frequency (RF) cavities operated in pulse mode was therefore carried out. The RF pulse pattern for each cavity was carefully selected according to the corresponding cavity’s loaded Q and the capabilities of the power sources. A modified feedforward table was applied to reduce the peak reflected power at the power coupler. In addition, a filling on resonance approach that aims to reduce the required incident power during the filling time due to the existence of the Lorentz force detuning was adopted. The slow drift of the pulse-to-pulse detuning on the flat top of an RF pulse was successfully compensated for by a piezo feedback system. In this paper, we present the results related to the cERL pulse mode operation. The measured RF stabilities and beam energy stability in the cERL beam commissioning are presented as well.

Experimental and numerical investigation of 2 K heat exchanger for superfluid helium cryogenic systems at KEK

Superfluid helium cryogenic systems at KEK are constructed for research and development of cryomodules of the compact Energy Recovery Linac (cERL) and the International Linear Collider (ILC). The niobium superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities in cERL and ILC operate at temperatures of 2.0 K or below. The SRF cavities are cooled with saturated superfluid helium, which is another phase of the liquid helium (LHe), when it is cooled below 2.17 K under saturation condition. To produce superfluid helium continuously, a Joule-Thomson (JT) valve is employed in the cryogenic system. Also, a 2 K heat exchanger (2K HX) is introduced in series with the JT valve to recover the coldness from 2.0 K gaseous helium (GHe) evaporating from the helium tanks of the SRF cavities. This increases the production rate of superfluid helium by reducing the incoming LHe temperature from 4.4 K to 2.2 K or above before the JT valve. At KEK, we have a 2K HX consisting of a helical coil and laminated fins for thermal loads up to 100 W. Its performance needs to be determined and is characterized by a factor known as effectiveness, which is the ratio of actual heat transfer to the maximum possible heat transfer between the fluids. The performance of the 2K HX has been determined experimentally using the heat exchanger test stand and numerically by computational fluid dynamics (ANSYS CFX®), respectively. In the heat exchanger test stand, the mass flow rate of incoming LHe is kept identical to the outgoing GHe through the 2K HX, using the level and pressure control of superfluid helium. An electric cartridge heater is immersed in the superfluid helium to vary the mass flow rate of evaporating superfluid helium. In the future, the optimization of the 2K HX design will be performed to improve its performance.

Active cancellation of power supply ripple effects in continuous wave superconducting radio frequency cavities

Digital low-level radio-frequency (LLRF) systems are used at the compact energy recovery linac (cERL) test facility to stabilize the accelerating field inside the radio frequency (RF) cavities. Proportional and integral feedback controllers are implemented in the LLRF system to suppress the various disturbances in the cavities. At cERL, the typical disturbances include microphonics detuning and high-voltage power supply (HVPS) ripples. These two types of disturbances are reflected in the sum of sinusoidal fluctuations in the RF phase. Recently, a real-time narrow-band active noise control (ANC) approach which aims to reject the microphonics detuning of less than several dozen Hz, was proved to be effective in cavity resonance control. We extend this ANC method to the LLRF field control to suppress the RF ripples caused by the HVPS. In this paper, we present our experience of applying the ANC algorithm to the LLRF system of the cERL facility at KEK. We confirmed that high frequency ripples of up to 20 kHz can be well compensated by the ANC method during the cERL beam-commissioning.

Operational experience of a 500 kV photoemission gun

Operational experience of a 500 kV photoemission gun at the compact energy recovery linac (cERL) of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization is presented. The gun, developed at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, was found to have failures in two out of the ten-segment ceramic insulator just after installation at cERL. The gun had been operated at 390 kV with eight segments until April 2015 and provided a 0.9 mA beam. An additional two-segment insulator was installed on the top of the existing insulators to recover the high-voltage performance. The gun was then conditioned up to 539 kV and has been operated stably at 500 kV. No discharge caused by the gun itself was observed at 500 kV once the high threshold voltage for stable operation exceeded 500 kV. A dark current of a few picoamperes was generated at 500 kV from a photocathode puck with a semiconducting wafer, while no dark current was observed without a semiconducting wafer. Stable generation of a 500 keV beam with current greater than 0.8 mA was demonstrated for more than two hours.

New halo formation mechanism at the KEK compact energy recovery linac

The beam halo mitigation is a very important challenge for reliable and safe operation of a high-energy machine. A systematic beam halo study was conducted at the KEK compact energy recovery linac (cERL) since non-negligible beam loss was observed in the recirculation loop during a common operation. We found that the beam loss can be avoided by making use of the collimation system. Beam halo measurements have demonstrated the presence of vertical beam halos at multiple locations in the beam line (except the region near the electron gun). Based on these observations, we made a conjecture that the transverse beam halo is attributed to the longitudinal bunch tail arising at the photocathode. The transfer of particles from the longitudinal space to a transverse halo may have been observed and studied in other machines, considering nonlinear effects as their causes. However, our study demonstrates a new unique halo formation mechanism, in which a transverse beam halo can be generated by a longitudinal bunch tail due to transverse rf kicks from the accelerating (monopole) fields of the radio-frequency cavities. This halo formation occurs when nonrelativistic particles enter the cavities with a transverse offset, even if neither nonlinear optics nor nonlinear beam effects are present. A careful realignment of the injector system will mitigate the present halo. Another possible cure is to reduce the bunch tails by changing the photocathode material from the present GaAs to a multi-alkali that is known to have a shorter longitudinal tail.

Control systems for the 2 K cryogenic systems at KEK-STF and KEK-cERL

The Superconducting RF Test Facility and the compact Energy Recovery Linac are accelerator facilities at KEK that employ 1.3 GHz superconducting cavities fabricated using niobium. They should be cooled with liquid He at 2 K, for which cryogenic systems were developed at KEK. Home-made control systems were also introduced for stable and effective operation of the 2 K cryogenic systems. The performance of these cryogenic control systems has been improved in accordance with each beam operation.

Energy recovery injectors

This article presents a novel design for a superconducting rf electron injector that incorporates energy recovery. This concept relaxes the demands of high power input couplers, improves essential beam parameters and energy efficiency and reduces the overall cost of a compact energy recovery linac machine.

Application of disturbance observer-based control in low-level radio-frequency system in a compact energy recovery linac at KEK

A disturbance observer (DOB)-based control for a digital low-level radio-frequency (LLRF) system in a compact energy recovery linac (cERL) at KEK has been developed. The motivation for this control approach is to compensate for or suppress the disturbance signal in the rf system such as beam loading, power supply ripples, and microphonics. Disturbance signals in specified frequency ranges were observed and reconstructed accurately in the field-programmable gate array and were then removed in the feedforward model in real time. The key component in this DOB controller is a disturbance observer, which includes the inverse mathematical model of the rf plant. In this paper, we have designed a DOB control-based approach in order to improve the LLRF system performance in disturbance rejection. We have confirmed this approach in the cERL beam commissioning.

Study of Magnetic Shielding Materials and Fabrication of Magnetic Shield for Superconducting Cavities

Magnetic properties of Cryophy were measured at room and cryogenic temperatures using ring samples. Sample-to-sample variation in permeability was evaluated in addition to measurement error. Permeability dependence on the maximum annealing temperature was examined using ring samples annealed at 1100 °C and 1170 °C. From these data, Cryophy was chosen as magnetic shielding material for the superconducting cavities in the main linac section of the cERL (compact Energy Recovery Linac) at KEK. Magnetic properties of Cryophy are presented along with the results of simulation based on the data obtained. The result of the high-power test of the cERL main linac cavities is reported at the end.

Analysis on effects of transverse electric field in an injector cavity of compact-ERL at KEK

For a future synchrotron light source based on a linac, e.g. an X-ray free electron laser and an energy recovery linac (ERL), an injector is a key component to generate a high brightness electron beam. For the acceleration and transportation of the electron beam in the injector, the adjustment of beam orbit inside the cavity is important to avoid the deterioration of the beam quality due to the transverse electric field of it, which causes the transverse emittance growth. To adjust the beam orbit, an investigation of the electromagnetic center of the cavity is required in the beam operation. This paper shows a new method for measuring the electromagnetic center of the cavity, and describes an analytical model of emittance growth due to a combination of transverse electric field and orbit offset. The validation of the method was confirmed by the emittance measurement in the compact ERL (cERL) injector at KEK.

Multi-pass, multi-bunch beam breakup for 9-cell Tesla cavities in the ERL

Generally, the Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) needs specially designed high current superconducting RF cavities. In this paper, the threshold current of beam breakup for compact ERL facilities with 9-cell Tesla type cavities are investigated. The results show that it is feasible to adopt the 9-cell Tesla cavity for compact ERL test facilities with just a few cavities and beam current around 10 mA.

Design of N-type feedthrough for HOM coupler for cERL injector cavity

The injector cryomodule for the compact energy recovery linac (cERL) is under development at KEK. The cryomodule with 3L-band 2-cell cavities was built in June 2012. A prototype 2-cell cavity and three other 2-cell cavities with five higher-order-mode (HOM) couplers for actual operation were fabricated in May 2011. The vertical tests of these cavities were carried out after standard surface preparation at the KEK Superconducting accelerator Test Facility (KEK-STF) from October 2010 to March 2012. Radio-frequency feedthroughs with high thermal conductivity for the HOM coupler were also developed to achieve 12.5MV/m CW operation in the cryomodule. A Kyocera NR-type connector was modified to connect to this target. The results of vertical tests of the 2-cell cavities to measure their feedthrough performance will be reported in this paper.

Development of the superconducting rf 2-cell cavity for cERL injector at KEK

An injector cryomodule for the compact energy recovery linac (cERL) is under development at KEK. This injector cryomodule has 3 L-band 2-cell superconducting rf cavities. The cERL is required to accelerate a 10-mA CW electron beam to 5MeV. The required accelerating gradient per cavity is 7.5–12.5MV/m at ∼30kW input power to the cavity and the beam. The operational frequency is 1300MHz at 2K and the mode of operation is CW. In this application, the critical hardware components are not the cavities, but the rf input couplers and higher-order-mode (HOM) dampers. Initially, a TESLA-style coaxial HOM coupler was chosen for HOM damping of the injector cavities. However, this HOM coupler had a heating problem at low gradients (a few MV/m) in CW operation. The components heated in the accelerating mode were the HOM body and the feedthrough that extracts HOM power from the cavity. To control the heating problem, a new HOM coupler was designed based on a TESLA-style coaxial HOM coupler, and the feedthrough was also modified based on a Kyocera N-R type connector to have better thermal conductivity. A prototype 2-cell cavity and 3 other 2-cell cavities with 5 new HOM couplers for actual operation were fabricated through May 2011. Vertical tests of these cavities were carried out after standard surface preparation at the KEK Superconducting Accelerator Test Facility (KEK-STF) through March 2012. The accelerating gradient achieved exceeded 50MV/m without quenching during the vertical test using the prototype 2-cell cavity and feedthroughs. The magnetic field at the cell equator was 2127Oe. Three 2-cell cavities passing the criteria of the High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan exceeded 25MV/m without field emissions. The cavities with the best performance were prepared in March 2012 for the cERL injector. The designs of the HOM couplers and feedthroughs and the results of the vertical tests to evaluate their performance are reported here.

Effects of space charge in a compact superconducting energy recovery linac with a low energy

The Energy Recovery Linac (ERL) is one of the candidates for the next generation light sources, which is based on the 1.3GHz superconducting radio frequency (SRF) linear accelerator. The ERL can produce high brilliance synchrotron radiation and a short pulse beam. We investigated the beam dynamics in the compact-Energy Recovery Linac (c-ERL) with a beam energy of 35MeV, which is a prototype of the 5GeV ERL at KEK. One of the main goals of our studies on the c-ERL is the emittance compensation in the merger section to achieve an emittance smaller than 1.0mmmrad.In the case of the early commissioning phase, the injector system produces electron bunches of 5MeV with a repetition rate of 1.3GHz. The compensation of the emittance growth due to the space charge effect was investigated in order to achieve a small emittance at the exit of the merger. We discuss the results of a method to compensate the emittance growth which is based on beam envelope matching between the betatron function and the linear dispersion induced by the space charge force. We investigated the space charge effect when the beam energy in the superconducting RF section was changed. The effect of space charge in the arc section was also investigated. It is shown that the space charge effect in the c-ERL is an important source of distortion of the optics function. In this paper, we show the results on the analysis of the effect of space charge in the compact-ERL at KEK which has a low-energy beam.

An intense terahertz radiation source at the Compact ERL

The Compact ERL is an energy recovery LINAC (ERL) test facility that is planned for KEK. The circumference of the recirculation path will be 70m. Initially, the beam energy will be about 65MeV and the current about 10mA. Although the primary purpose of the machine is to aid the development of the key technologies that are essential for building an ultra-brilliant new synchrotron light source based on an ERL, the Compact ERL itself has great potential as an intense source of terahertz radiation. To generate the intense terahertz radiation, an electron bunch of a very short bunch length is required and bunch compression is inevitable. We discuss the parameters of the Compact ERL, present the results of a simulation of bunch compression, and make an estimate of the generated coherent synchrotron radiation.