Development of a Prototype Superconducting Radio-Frequency Multicell Cavity for Compact, Conduction-Cooled Accelerators

Abstract

Jefferson Lab and General Atomics are jointly advancing compact, high-power irradiation systems capable of delivering electron-beam powers in the hundreds of kilowatts based on superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) technology. A critical step toward deploying SRF accelerators in industrial environments is replacing traditional liquid-helium cryogenic systems with conduction-cooled cryomodules powered by commercial cryocoolers. This paper reports recent progress in the design, fabrication, and testing of a prototype three-cell SRF cavity developed at Jefferson Lab and evaluated in a dedicated horizontal test cryostat at General Atomics. Peak surface magnetic fields up to 18.4\,mT, corresponding to accelerating gradients of approximately 4.3\,MV/m, were achieved in one of the cells. The results provide key insights into cavity preparation, thin-film coating, mechanical robustness, and cryogenic integration, offering guidance for the continued maturation of compact, conduction-cooled SRF accelerators for industrial irradiation applications.

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