AIR Unveils High Power Input Coupler Prototype

On March 18, 2020, two sets of prototypes of 1.3GHz high-powered input coupler developed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) have passed all types of tests organized by the experts of the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (SAR) under CAS, marking AIR has become a leading player in China that has a mastery of coupler R&D in terms of key technologies and whole-chain manufacturing process.

The Shanghai hard X ray free electron laser device (SHINE) is a major national S&T infrastructure underway, featuring historic big investment and long construction period. Its engineering task is to build a superconducting linear accelerator with energy of eight GeV, three oscillator lines, three beam lines and the first batch of ten experimental stations. Once completed, it is expected to become one of the most efficient and advanced free electron laser user devices in the world, and provide advanced research methods such as high-resolution imaging, ultra-fast process exploration, advanced structure analysis for multidisciplinary research.

1.3GHz high-powered input coupler is one of most important components in the low temperature acceleration module of superconducting linear accelerator, capable of continuously feeding microwave power into the superconducting cavity and providing energy to the beam. The performance of the coupler determines the long-term stable and reliable operation of the linear accelerator.

Entrusted by SAR, AIR project team started the R&D of 1.3GHz couplers in September 2018. It is a tough task for the team since they have to combine the technical requirements of coupler with the technologies of microwave electron-vacuum device. Yet, all of their efforts have paid off. Scientists have finally achieved technological breakthroughs and mastered the whole process of coupler development.

In addition, scientists have completed the construction of the matching ten-stage clean room and built a high power testing platform according to the clean and testing requirements of the 1.3GHz coupler. The prototype completed in October 2019 has passed high power testing of pulse 28 kW, continuous traveling wave 14 kW (6 hours) and continuous standing wave 7 kW (12 hours).

The prototype will be installed and debugged in the low temperature module of accelerator, and accept further systematic verification testing.

The high-powered input coupler prototype.