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Observation of multipactor in an alumina-based dielectric-loaded accelerating structure
1High Energy Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|June 1, 2004
Summary
Researchers discovered a new single-surface multipactor regime in dielectric-loaded accelerating structures. This regime absorbs significantly more power than previously observed, depending on incident power levels.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Particle accelerators
- Materials science
Background:
- Single-surface multipactor is a plasma discharge phenomenon.
- Previous observations occurred with tangential electric fields and normal power flow.
- Existing knowledge indicated low power absorption (approx. 1%) in dielectric materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a newly observed regime of single-surface multipactor.
- To characterize the power absorption in this new regime.
- To present a model explaining the experimental findings.
Main Methods:
- High-power testing of an 11.424-GHz alumina-based dielectric-loaded accelerating structure.
- Experimental observation of single-surface multipactor under specific field and power flow conditions.
- Development of a simple model to interpret the results.
Main Results:
- A new single-surface multipactor regime was identified.
- This regime features strong normal and tangential RF electric fields with parallel power flow.
- Power absorption at saturation increases with incident power, exceeding 50%.
Conclusions:
- The newly identified multipactor regime significantly differs from previous observations.
- The power absorption is dependent on incident power, unlike prior findings.
- A theoretical model supports the experimental observations of enhanced power absorption.
