RF Superconductivity for Particle Accelerators

Sponsoring University:

Stony Brook University

Course Name:

RF Superconductivity for Particle Accelerators

Instructors:

Sergey Belomestnykh, Alex Romanenko and Sam Posen; Fermilab

Purpose and Audience
This course will cover the science fundamentals and practical manufacturing, processing, and operational aspects of the superconducting RF (SRF) cavities – the state-of-the-art technology used for both pulsed and continuous wave (CW) particle acceleration. The course is intended to give a comprehensive introduction to the field for students, engineers, and physicists interested in entering this field, as well as to deepen understanding of the technology for those already exposed to some aspects of SRF.

Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of electromagnetism, microwave techniques, and solid state/condensed matter physics at the senior undergraduate level. Familiarity with accelerator science and technology at the level of the USPAS course Fundamentals of Accelerator Physics and Technology with Simulations and Measurements Lab is recommended.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet the course prerequisites or have equivalent experience.

Objectives
Upon completion of the course students are expected to have a clear understanding of the advantages, basic underlying physics, open questions, and domain of applicability of SRF technology, as well as state-of-the-art infrastructure and techniques required for successful implementation of SRF-based accelerators. 

Instructional Method
The course will include lectures and computer lab exercises. Daily homework problems will be assigned during the course for completion outside of class and a final exam at the end of the course will be given.  Instructors will be available for assistance in the evenings. 

Course Content
The course lectures will start from an introduction to the principles of RF acceleration and a general mathematical description of microwave cavities. The phenomenon of superconductivity, and the advantages and challenges it brings for RF cavities will then be discussed in detail. In-depth coverage of principles of RF superconductivity and various types of SRF cavities used for different applications will follow. Extrinsic phenomena adversely affecting the performance will be discussed including multipacting, field emission, and hydrogen Q-disease. Modern cavity manufacturing, processing, and basic measurement techniques will be reviewed. Key steps and challenges in engineering and operating of complete SRF cryomodules (cryostats, cavities, input couplers, higher order mode couplers and loads, frequency tuners) will be fully discussed. Beam-cavity interaction issues in operation will also be reviewed. An overview of the recent scientific progress and future outlook with standing challenges and promising research directions will conclude the course. Several practical exercises and demonstrations for key topics will be integrated in the course.

Reading Requirements
The following textbook will be provided by the USPAS and will be extensively used during the course:

H. Padamsee, J. Knobloch, and T. Hays, RF Superconductivity for Accelerators, 2nd Edition,  (John Wiley and Sons, 2008).

It is recommended that students refresh their knowledge of the fundamentals of electrodynamics at the level of one of the following textbooks:

• S. Ramo, J. R. Whinnery, and T. Van Duzer, Fields and Waves in Communication Electronics, 3rd edition (John Wiley & Sons, 1994), see Chapters 1 –11.
• J. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, 3rd edition, (John Wiley & Sons, 1999), see Chapters 1 – 8.
• R. E. Collins, Foundations for Microwave Engineering (John Wiley & Sons, 2001), see Chapters 1 – 8.

and their knowledge of condensed matter physics/superconductivity at the level of:

• N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, (Cengage Learning,1976), see Chapter 34-Superconductivity.
• M. Tinkham. Introduction to Superconductivity, second edition (Dover Books on Physics, 2004), see Chapters 1-2.

Additional suggested reference books for the course: 

• A. W. Chao, K. H. Mess, M. Tigner and F. Zimmermann, Handbook of Accelerator Physics and Engineering, second edition, (World Scientific, 2013).
• H. Padamsee, RF Superconductivity: Science, Technology, and Applications (Wiley-VCH, 2009).

Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated based on the following performances: final exam (40% grade), homework assignments and class participation (35% grade) and lab exercises (25% grade).

Stony Brook University course number:
Indiana University course number: Physics 571 Special Topics in Physics of Beams
Michigan State University course number: PHY 963 
MIT course number: 8.790 Accelerator Physics