Abstract: A novel high-gradient accelerating structure with low phase velocity, v/c = 0.38, has been designed, manufactured and high-power tested. The structure was designed and built using the methodology and technology developed for CLIC 100 MV/m high-gradient accelerating structures, which have speed of light phase velocity, but adapts them to a structure for nonrelativistic particles. The parameters of the structure were optimized for the compact proton therapy linac project, and specifically to 76 MeV energy protons, but the type of structure opens more generally the possibility of compact low phase velocity linacs. The structure operates in S-band, is backward traveling wave (BTW) with a phase advance of 150 degrees and has an active length of 19 cm. The main objective for designing and testing this structure was to demonstrate that low velocity particles, in particular protons, can be accelerated with high gradients. In addition, the performance of this structure compared to other type of structures provides insights into the factors that limit high gradient operation. The structure was conditioned successfully to high gradient using the same protocol as for CLIC X-band structures. However, after the high power test, data analysis realized that the structure had been installed backwards, that is, the input power had been fed into what is nominally the output end of the structure. This resulted in higher peak fields at the power feed end and a steeply decreasing field profile along the structure, rather than the intended near constant field and gradient profile. A local accelerating gradient of 81 MV/m near the input end was achieved at a pulse length of 1.2 μs and with a breakdown rate (BDR) of 7.2 x 10(-7) 1 /pulse/m. The reverse configuration was accidental but the operating with this field condition gave very important insights into high-gradient behaviour and a comprehensive analysis has been carried out. A particular attention was paid to the characterization of the distribution of BD positions along the structure and within a cell.

Abstract: A series of detailed numerical simulations are used to investigate the properties ofmultipactor breakdown in circularwaveguidespropagating the TM01 mode. AMonte Carlo model is constructed to track the motion of the electrons, study the multipactor scenarios, and predict the multipactor thresholds. The theoretical and numerical analyses indicate that the product of the frequency and the gap (f . D) affects both the intensity of the ponderomotive force and its spatial distribution, which results from the nonuniformity of the radio frequency (RF) field and significantly influences the electrons' trajectoriesandmultipactor trends. The decrease in f . D results in a remarkable enhancement in the magnitude of the ponderomotive force, while the maximal intensity gradually moves toward the half radius R/2 area. Low values of f . D correspond to high ponderomotive potential, which sustains the short-range electrons and triggers the single-sidedmultipactor. In contrast, high values of f . D correspond to low ponderomotive potential, contributing to long-range electrons and exciting the double-sided multipactor. Fitting to the susceptibility diagram produces the border line and a modified f . D threshold of (f . D) th approximate to 338.4 GHz mm, which separates the susceptibility diagram into single-sided, double-sided, andmixed-sided zones. The initial electron energy influences their trajectories at high f . D and low RF power. This effect tends to dominate the multipactor behavior in the mixed-sided region.

Abstract: Dielectric Assist Accelerating (DAA) structures based on ultralow-loss ceramic are being studied as an alternative to conventional disk-loaded copper cavities. This accelerating structure consists of dielectric disks with irises arranged periodically in metallic structures working under the TM02-pi mode. In this paper, the numerical design of an S-band DAA structure for low beta particles, such as protons or carbon ions used for Hadrontherapy treatments, is shown. Four dielectric materials with different permittivity and loss tangent are studied as well as different particle velocities. Through optimization, a design that concentrates most of the RF power in the vacuum space near the beam axis is obtained, leading to a significant reduction of power loss on the metallic walls. This allows to fabricate cavities with an extremely high quality factor, over 100,000, and shunt impedance over 300 M omega/m at room temperature. During the numerical study, the design optimization has been improved by adjusting some of the cell parameters in order to both increase the shunt impedance and reduce the peak electric field in certain locations of the cavity, which can lead to instabilities in its normal functioning.