SBIR-STTR Award

High-current pulses of electrons are widely used in injector systems for electron accelerators, both for industrial linacs as well as high-energy accelerators for linear colliders. Also, short-duration pulses are used for microwave generation in klystrons and related devices, for injectors to perform research on advanced methods of particle acceleration, and for injectors used as free-electron-laser (FEL) drivers. However, the development of a system that can produce both high-current and short-duration pulses of electrons has been a challenging problem for many years. This project will develop a high current, picosecond S-band injector system, the Micro-Pulse Amplified Electron Injector (MPAI). The heart of the MPAI is a self-bunching electron gun. By adding an external electron amplifier stage and high energy RF post acceleration, an inexpensive, simple, robust electron injector would result. Phase I is aimed at measurements of: electron current gain, charge per bunch, RF power, beam power, and other key parameters.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The micro-pulse electron amplifier injector (MPAI) should provide a high power, low emittance, picosecond-long electron source that is suitable for many applications: high energy picosecond electron injectors for linear colliders, free electron lasers, medical and industrial RF linacs, and a high-harmonic high-frequency driver for RF sources and accelerator test facilities

The development of high-current, short-duration pulses of electrons has been a challenging problem for many years. High current pulses are widely used in injector systems for electron accelerators, both for industrial linacs as well as for high-energy accelerators for linear colliders. Also, short-duration pulses have been used for microwave generation, in klystrons and related devices, for injectors to perform research on advanced methods of particle acceleration, and for injectors used as free-electron-laser (FEL) drivers. This project will develop a high current, picosecond S-band injector system, the Micro-Pulse Amplified Electron Injector (MPAI), based on a self-bunching electron gun, the Micro-Pulse Gun (MPG). In Phase I, electron amplification with diamond in the MPG was demonstrated, and measurements of electron current gain, charge per bunch, RF power, beam power, and other key parameters were performed. Phase II will involve the design, fabrication, and testing of an S-band MPAI to 5-6 MeV. Experiments will be conducted to establish the baseline for characterizing the device, and the MPAI¿s suitability for a variety of potential applications will be validated.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The micro-pulse electron amplifier injector (MPAI) would provide a high power, low emittance, picosecond-long electron source that is suitable for many applications, including linear colliders, free electron lasers, medical and industrial RF linacs, and high-harmonic, high-frequency drivers for RF sources, and accelerator test facilities