Next generation injectors for the active pixel sensors are expected to be thermionic-cathode RF guns based on their prior success and reliability. Maintenance issues with inserting new cathode cartridges need to be addressed along with improving the beam characteristics. A fourth generation gun design is needed. Advanced Energy Systems plans to beef up the cathode region with a plated stainless steel insert and provide a maintenance-free cathode insertion mechanism capable of position tuning and locking. Advanced Energy Systems will also add a grid to the cathode cartridge to improve the bunch characteristics. Improved cooling will be added to increase repetition rate. In Phase I Advanced Energy Systems will develop a preliminary design and perform Beam Dynamics as well as RF/Thermal/Structural and frequency shift analysis to determine that the structure and thermal management meets the active pixel sensors requirements. Advanced Energy Systems will then develop the manufacturing plan that will include the cathode insertion mechanism. The cathode cartridge is made by a third party and Advanced Energy Systems plans to work with this company to ensure that the mechanism and cartridge are geometrically and structurally compatible. Advanced Energy Systems proposes to develop an improved technology fourth generation thermionic electron injector. This gun will be more reliable and have increased performance compared to the previous generation ensuring active pixel sensors remains as a premier ultra bright high energy X-ray beam source. Commercial Applications and Other
Benefits: The proposed next generation thermionic electron gun for light sources will result in improved beam quality at higher repetition rate with a more robust cathode cartridge interface design. Progress in many areas of basic research relies on continued advances in accelerator technology. An advance in beam quality will interest the medical community for cancer treatment. The proposed thermionic electron gun holds the promise of providing advanced features at an affordable cost.
