The recirculating superconducting proton linac has the advantage of reducing the number of cavities in the accelerator and the corresponding construction and operational costs. Beam dynamics simulations were done recently in a double-pass recirculating proton linac using a single proton beam bunch. For continuous wave (cw) operation, the high-energy proton bunch during the second pass through the linac will overtake and collide with the low-energy bunch during the first pass at a number of locations of the linac. These collisions might cause proton bunch emittance growth and beam quality degradation. In this paper, we study the collisional effects due to Coulomb space-charge forces between the high-energy bunch and the low-energy bunch. Our results suggest that these effects on the proton beam quality would be small and might not cause significant emittance growth or beam blowup through the linac. A 10 mA, 500 MeV cw double-pass proton linac is feasible without using extra hardware for phase synchronization.

Plasma wakefield acceleration is one of the main technologies being developed for future high-energy colliders. Potentially, it can create a cost-effective path to the highest possible energies for $e^{+}{e}^{-}$ or $\gamma -\gamma$ colliders and produce a profound effect on the developments for high-energy physics. Acceleration in a blowout regime, where all plasma electrons are swept away from the axis, is presently considered to be the primary choice for beam acceleration. In this paper, we derive a universal efficiency-instability relation, between the power efficiency and the key instability parameter of the trailing bunch for beam acceleration in the blowout regime. We also show that the suppression of instability in the trailing bunch can be achieved through Balakin-Novokhatsky-Smirnov damping by the introduction of a beam energy variation along the bunch. Unfortunately, in the high-efficiency regime, the required energy variation is quite high and is not presently compatible with collider-quality beams. We would like to stress that the development of the instability imposes a fundamental limitation on the acceleration efficiency, and it is unclear how it could be overcome for high-luminosity linear colliders. With minor modifications, the considered limitation on the power efficiency is applicable to other types of acceleration.

The development of high-gradient accelerating structures for low-$\beta$ particles is the key for compact hadron linear accelerators. A particular example of such a machine is a hadron therapy linac, which is a promising alternative to cyclic machines, traditionally used for cancer treatment. Currently, the practical utilization of linear accelerators in radiation therapy is limited by the requirement to be under 50 m in length. A usable device for cancer therapy should produce 200–250 MeV protons and/or $400–450\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{u}$ carbon ions, which sets the requirement of having $35\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$ average “real-estate gradient” or gradient per unit of actual accelerator length, including different accelerating sections, focusing elements and beam transport lines, and at least $50\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$ accelerating gradients in the high-energy section of the linac. Such high accelerating gradients for ion linacs have recently become feasible for operations at S-band frequencies. However, the reasonable application of traditional S-band structures is practically limited to $\beta =\mathrm{v}/\mathrm{c}>0.4$. However, the simulations show that for lower phase velocities, these structures have either high surface fields ($>200\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$) or low shunt impedances ($<35\mathrm{M}\mathrm{\Omega }/\mathrm{m}$). At the same time, a significant ($\sim 10\%$) reduction in the linac length can be achieved by using the $50\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$ structures starting from $\beta \sim 0.3$. To address this issue, we have designed a novel radio frequency structure where the beam is synchronous with the higher spatial harmonic of the electromagnetic field. In this paper, we discuss the principles of this approach, the related beam dynamics and especially the electromagnetic and thermomechanical designs of this novel structure. Besides the application to ion therapy, the technology described in this paper can be applied to future high gradient normal conducting ion linacs and high energy physics machines, such as a compact hadron collider. This approach preserves linac compactness in settings with limited space availability.

A new type of helical undulator based on redistribution of magnetic field of a solenoid by ferromagnetic helix has been proposed and studied both in theory and experiment. Such undulators are very simple and efficient for promising sources of coherent spontaneous THz undulator radiation from dense electron bunches formed in laser-driven photo-injectors.

At the Free-Electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) and the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser, superconducting TeV-energy superconducting linear accelerator (TESLA)-type cavities are used for the acceleration of electron bunches, generating intense free-electron laser (FEL) beams. A long rf pulse structure allows one to accelerate long bunch trains, which considerably increases the efficiency of the machine. However, intrabunch-train variations of rf parameters and misalignments of rf structures induce significant trajectory variations that may decrease the FEL performance. The accelerating cavities are housed inside cryomodules, which restricts the ability for direct alignment measurements. In order to determine the transverse cavity position, we use a method based on beam-excited dipole modes in the cavities. We have developed an efficient measurement and signal processing routine and present its application to multiple accelerating modules at FLASH. The measured rms cavity offset agrees with the specification of the TESLA modules. For the first time, the tilt of a TESLA cavity inside a cryomodule is measured. The preliminary result agrees well with the ratio between the offset and angle dependence of the dipole mode which we calculated with eigenmode simulations.

When an untapered high-gain free electron laser (FEL) reaches saturation, the exponential growth ceases and the radiation power starts to oscillate about an equilibrium. The FEL radiation power or efficiency can be increased by undulator tapering. For a high-gain tapered FEL, although the power is enhanced after the first saturation, it is known that there is a so-called second saturation where the FEL power growth stops even with a tapered undulator system. The sideband instability is one of the primary reasons leading to this second saturation. In this paper, we provide a quantitative analysis on how the gradient of undulator tapering can mitigate the sideband growth. The study is carried out semianalytically and compared with one-dimensional numerical simulations. The physical parameters are taken from Linac Coherent Light Source-like electron bunch and undulator systems. The sideband field gain and the evolution of the radiation spectra for different gradients of undulator tapering are examined. It is found that a strong undulator tapering ($\sim 10\%$) provides effective suppression of the sideband instability in the postsaturation regime.

The use of transversely split beams was proposed some years ago as a means to perform extraction from a circular particle accelerator over multiple turns. In the course of studies carried out to increase understanding of the beam behavior, space charge effects have been probed. The experimental results showed a dependence of the beamlets’ positions on the total beam intensity. In this paper detailed numerical simulations studies are reported, which clearly indicate that the observed behavior is due to indirect space charge effects. The analysis includes configurations, which have not yet been experimentally probed, in order to better understand the complex interplay between nonlinear single-particle and intensity-dependent effects.

Suppression of the microbunching instability is a priority for free electron lasers (FELs) whose goal is production of intense coherent radiation with very narrow spectral bandwidth. The instability can have large gain in multibend switchyard lines that connect the accelerator to multiple undulator lines. This study provides practical guidelines for switchyard optics designs that are largely immune to microbunching growth. A case study of the FERMI FEL switchyard is illustrated, resulting in an improved optics design that provides a unity microbunching gain while preserving the electron beam brightness. The analytical computation of the gain for the improved optics is supported by simulations and by experimental results.

The quantum efficiencies (QE) of photocathodes consisting of bulk Nb substrates coated with thin films of ${\mathrm{Cs}}_2\mathrm{Te}$ are reported. Using the standard recipe for ${\mathrm{Cs}}_2\mathrm{Te}$ deposition developed for Mo substrates (220 Å Te thickness), a $\mathrm{QE}\sim 11\%–13\%$ at light wavelength of 248 nm is achieved for the Nb substrates, consistent with that found on Mo. Systematic reduction of the Te thickness for both Mo and Nb substrates reveals a surprisingly high residual $\mathrm{QE}\sim 6\%$ for a Te layer as thin as 15 Å. A phenomenological model based on the Spicer three-step model along with a solution of the Fresnel equations for reflectance, $R$, leads to a reasonable fit of the thickness dependence of QE and suggests that layers thinner than 15 Å may still have a relatively high QE. Preliminary investigation suggests an increased operational lifetime as well. Such an ultrathin, semiconducting ${\mathrm{Cs}}_2\mathrm{Te}$ layer may be expected to produce minimal Ohmic losses for rf frequencies $\sim 1\mathrm{GHz}$. The result thus opens the door to the potential development of a Nb (or ${\mathrm{Nb}}_3\mathrm{Sn}$) superconducting photocathode with relatively high QE and minimal rf impedance to be used in a superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) photoinjector.

We present an upgrade to the particle-in-cell ion beam simulation code opal that enables us to run highly realistic simulations of the spiral inflector system of a compact cyclotron. This upgrade includes a new geometry class and field solver that can handle the complicated boundary conditions posed by the electrode system in the central region of the cyclotron both in terms of particle termination, and calculation of self-fields. Results are benchmarked against the analytical solution of a coasting beam. As a practical example, the spiral inflector and the first revolution in a $1\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{amu}$ test cyclotron, located at Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc., are modeled and compared to the simulation results. We find that opal can now handle arbitrary boundary geometries with relative ease. Simulated injection efficiencies and beam shape compare well with measured efficiencies and a preliminary measurement of the beam distribution after injection.

During the conceptual design of an accelerator or beamline, first-order beam dynamics models are essential for studying beam properties. However, they can only produce approximate results. During commissioning, these approximate results are compared to measurements, which will rarely coincide if the model does not include the relevant physics. It is therefore essential that this linear model is extended to include higher-order effects. In this paper, the effects of particle-matter interaction have been included in the model of the transport lines in the proton therapy facility at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) in Switzerland. The first-order models of these beamlines provide an approximated estimation of beam size, energy loss and transmission. To improve the performance of the facility, a more precise model was required and has been developed with opal (Object Oriented Parallel Accelerator Library), a multiparticle open source beam dynamics code. In opal, the Monte Carlo simulations of Coulomb scattering and energy loss are performed seamless with the particle tracking. Beside the linear optics, the influence of the passive elements (e.g., degrader, collimators, scattering foils, and air gaps) on the beam emittance and energy spread can be analyzed in the new model. This allows for a significantly improved precision in the prediction of beam transmission and beam properties. The accuracy of the opal model has been confirmed by numerous measurements.

Computer codes suitable for the study of beam dynamics in cyclotronlike (classical and isochronous cyclotrons, synchrocyclotrons, and fixed field alternating gradient) accelerators are reviewed. Computer modeling of cyclotron segments, such as the central zone, acceleration region, and extraction system is considered. The author does not claim to give a full and detailed description of the methods and algorithms used in the codes. Special attention is paid to the codes already proven and confirmed at the existing accelerating facilities. The description of the programs prepared in the worldwide known accelerator centers is provided. The basic features of the programs available to users and limitations of their applicability are described.

The SHIRaC prototype is a recently developed radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) beam cooler with an improved optics design to deliver the required beam quality to a high resolution separator (HRS). For an isobaric separation of isotopes, the HRS demands beams with emittance not exceeding $3\pi \mathrm{mm}\mathrm{mrad}$ and longitudinal energy spread $\sim 1\mathrm{eV}$. Simulation studies showed a significant contribution of the buffer gas diffusion, space charge effect and mainly the rf fringe field to degrade the achieved beam quality at the RFQ exit. A miniature rf quadrupole ($\mu \mathrm{RFQ}$) has been implemented at that exit to remove the degrading effects and provide beams with 1 eV of energy spread and around $1.75\pi \mathrm{mm}\mathrm{mrad}$ of emittance for 4 Pa gas pressure. This solution enables also to transmit more than 60% of the incoming ions for currents up to $1\mu \mathrm{A}$. Detailed studies of this development are presented and discussed in this paper. Transport of beams from SHIRaC towards the HRS has been done with an electrostatic quadrupole triplet. Simulations and first experimental tests showed that more than 95% of ions can reach the HRS. Because SPIRAL-2 beams are of high current and very radioactive, the buffer gas will be highly contaminated. Safe maintenance of the SHIRaC beam line needs exceptional treatment of radioactive contaminants. For that, special vinyl sleep should be mounted on elements to be maintained. A detailed maintenance process will be presented.

The low-gain free-electron laser (FEL) oscillators are cutting-edge tools to produce fully coherent radiation in the spectral region from terahertz to vacuum ultraviolet, and potentially in hard x ray. In this paper, it is proposed to utilize an FEL oscillator with multistage undulators to enable gain cascading in a single pass, making it possible to achieve shorter single pulse lengths, higher peak power, and even higher pulse energy than the normal FEL oscillator. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations in the infrared and hard x-ray regions show that our proposal is effective.

The threshold of the transverse mode coupling instability is calculated in framework of the square well model at arbitrary value of space charge tune shift. A new method of calculation is developed beyond the traditional expansion technique. The square, resistive, and exponential wakes are investigated. It is shown that the instability threshold goes up indefinitely when the tune shift increases. A comparison with conventional case of the parabolic potential well is performed.

The past decade was characterized by an increasing scientific demand for extending towards higher repetition rates (MHz class and beyond) the performance of already operating lower repetition rate accelerator-based instruments such as x-ray free electron lasers (FELs) and ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) and microscopy (UEM) instruments. Such a need stimulated a worldwide spread of a vibrant R&D activity targeting the development of high-brightness electron sources capable of operating at these challenging rates. Among the different technologies pursued, rf guns based on room-temperature structures resonating in the very high frequency (VHF) range (30–300 MHz) and operating in continuous wave successfully demonstrated in the past few years the targeted brightness and reliability. Nevertheless, recently proposed upgrades for x-ray FELs and the always brightness-frontier applications such as UED and UEM are now requiring a further step forward in terms of beam brightness in electron sources. In this paper, we present a few possible upgrade paths that would allow one to extend, in a relatively simple and cost-effective way, the performance of the present VHF technology to the required new goals.

This article shows that the effect of all quadrupole errors present in an interaction region with low $\beta *$ can be modeled by an equivalent magnetic kick, which can be estimated from action and phase jumps found on beam position data. This equivalent kick is used to find the strengths that certain normal and skew quadrupoles located on the IR must have to make an effective correction in that region. Additionally, averaging techniques to reduce noise on beam position data, which allows precise estimates of equivalent kicks, are presented and mathematically justified. The complete procedure is tested with simulated data obtained from madx and 2015-LHC experimental data. The analyses performed in the experimental data indicate that the strengths of the IR skew quadrupole correctors and normal quadrupole correctors can be estimated within a 10% uncertainty. Finally, the effect of IR corrections in the ${\beta }^{*}$ is studied, and a correction scheme that returns this parameter to its designed value is proposed.

We discuss the nature of the electromagnetic fields excited by the beams in the beam pipe of an interaction region. In trying to find an optimum geometry for this region with a minimum of electromagnetic wave excitation, we have discovered one mode, which remains even in a very smooth geometry. This mode has a longitudinal electrical component and can be easily excited by the beam. By analyzing the structure of this mode we have found a way to absorb this mode. The work was done in connection with a proposal for a future electron-positron collider.

In this paper we extensively describe the heterodyne near field speckle method (HNFS) to characterize both spatial and temporal coherence of synchrotron radiation (SR). The method relies on Fourier analysis of near field speckles generated by scattering from nanoparticles suspended in a liquid. A criterion based on master curves of power spectra is introduced and validated by measurements on the visible light produced by the ALBA bending dipole. While spatial coherence measurements with HNFS have been reported, we present for the first time measurements of the temporal coherence of SR wavefronts with the HNFS method both for narrowband and white light beams. In the former case, using a band-pass filter, a coherence time of $40\pm 10\mathrm{fs}$ is measured, in good agreement with the expected value of 43 fs for the filter inverse linewidth. Moreover, by exploiting the self-reference scheme of the technique, we show that coherence areas propagate carrying nonvanishing curvature. In the latter case, the measured coherence time of the incident SR without any monochromator is $1.6\pm 0.4\mathrm{fs}$, corresponding to a bandwidth of 240 nm at a peak wavelength of 350 nm. Exploiting the Wiener-Kintchine theorem, we also retrieve the SR power spectral density at the sample position from the measured temporal coherence function. Results are in good agreement with the measurements performed using a standard spectrometer, yielding a coherence time of 1.4 fs.