U.S. Particle Accelerator School
RF Superconductivity course
Sponsoring University:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Course:
RF Superconductivity: Physics, Technology and Applications
Instructor:
Jean Delayen, Old Dominion University and Jefferson Lab; Gigi Ciovati and Anne-Marie Valente-Feliciano, Jefferson Lab
Purpose and Audience
This is a graduate-level course intended to instruct the students in the physics and technology of rf superconductivity and its application to particle accelerators. The course is designed for graduate students pursuing accelerator physics as a career or graduate engineers who have been working with particle accelerators and desire to familiarize themselves with the srf technology.
Prerequisites
A good understanding of Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism at the level that would be expected of a first-year graduate student. Some exposure to thermodynamics, solid state physics, and microwave engineering would be beneficial.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet the course prerequisites or have equivalent experience.
Objectives
The aim of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the physics underlying rf superconductivity, its technological development, and a realistic view of its practical implementation to particle accelerators with opportunities as well as limitations. Upon completion of this course, the student is expected to be able to generate their own application ideas and evaluate the efficacy of this technology to solve particular problems, as well as being active participants in various srf accelerator projects.
Instructional Method
This course includes a series of about 30 lectures (60 min each) during morning and early afternoon sessions, supplemented by 15 hrs. of exercise and assignment sessions with instructor in the late afternoon to emphasize the implementation of theoretical concepts.
Course Content
This course will provide a survey of the underlying physics and technology of rf superconductivity and its applications to particle accelerators; both ion and electron accelerators will be covered. More specifically, we will discuss: physics of the superconducting state, low-temperature properties of materials, cryogenics, cavity design, gradient and temperature optimization, rf control, microphonics, power coupler, frequency tuners, some aspects of beam dynamics and beam instabilities, heavy-ion accelerators for nuclear structure studies and for generation of isotopes, high-current proton accelerators for neutron flux generation, and various electron accelerators (storage rings, linear, recirculating, colliders, and energy-recovering). We will also discuss the state of the art and the limitations of the srf technology, as well as the avenues that are being pursued to extend its reach (new processes, materials, etc) and the tools and techniques being used in that endeavor.
Reading Requirements
A number of reading assignments will be sent to the students approximately one month before the start of the course. It is recommended that students refamiliarize themselves, if needed, with the fundamentals of electromagnetism at the level of first half of "Classical Electrodynamics" by John David Jackson, Wiley Publishers; 3rd Edition (1998).
(to be provided by the USPAS) "RF Superconductivity: Volume II: Science, Technology, and Applications" by Hasan Padamsee, Wiley & Sons Publishers, 2009.
Suggested reference book not provided by USPAS: "Handbook of Accelerator Physics and Engineering" by A.W. Chao and M. Tigner, World Scientific Publishers (third printing) 2006.
Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated based on performance: final exam or project (40 %), and assignments and class participation (60 %).
IU/USPAS course number P571