omega-p r&d, Inc. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 25f

Description

For most accelerators, major contributions to electrical inefficiency originate with magnets and RF systems. Consequently, power supplies and high-power RF sources are logical targets for efficiency improvements. This project is to develop a means for increasing the RF source efficiency. To address RF source inefficiency, Omega-P R&D, Inc. proposes to fabricate and test during Phase II a multi-beam klystron with a new type of depressed collector. This collector allows recovery of a larger portion of energy in the spent electron beams than could a conventional depressed collector, and will significantly increase the tube’s efficiency towards 80% in a single stage and cut waste heat nearly in half. During Phase I, design optimization of a multi-beam klystron with a new type of depressed collector was carried out, based mainly on simulation studies. Preliminary agreements were reached with vendors and a National Lab which will collaborate with Omega-P R&D during the Phase II project on engineering, fabrication, and experimental demonstration of a prototype version of the tube. A high-efficiency multi-beam klystron with a new type of depressed collector can be used for R&D of accelerator-related projects that require mega-watt-level L-band RF power. Those projects could include applications to International Linear Collider, to technical aspects of other accelerators used for discovery science, or for development of components for accelerators intended for industrial and medical settings. Extensions of the work could also yield efficiency improvements for other high-power RF sources at other frequencies and power ranges used in accelerator systems in the US and worldwide. Markets for RF sources to meet these needs could be significant. For most accelerators, major contributions to electrical inefficiency originate with magnets and RF systems. To address RF source inefficiency, Omega-P R&D, Inc. proposes to fabricate and test a new high-power RF source which allows significant increase of its efficiency towards 80%. The success of this project and its application can benefit the public by increasing pride in significant US participation in a big-science international project, and in added industrial jobs.