3D-printed capillary for hydrogen filled discharge for plasma based experiments in RF-based electron linac...

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Plasma-based acceleration requires precise capillary confinement for high-field generation.
• Traditional capillary manufacturing from hard materials is complex, time-consuming, and expensive.
• Geometric variations in capillaries significantly impact production costs and timelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of using 3D printed polymeric capillaries for plasma discharges.
• To assess the durability and performance of these capillaries in a radio-frequency (RF) electron linac.
• To evaluate the impact of 3D printed capillaries on plasma density distribution and long-term stability.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of capillaries using 3D printing technology with polymer materials.
• Driving hydrogen-filled plasma discharges within the capillaries at a 1 Hz repetition rate.
• Measuring plasma density distribution at various intervals to observe surface ablation effects.
• Conducting long-term testing exceeding 55,000 shots (over 16 hours) to assess capillary longevity.

Main Results:

• Successful generation of hydrogen-filled plasma discharges using 3D printed polymeric capillaries.
• Initial plasma density distributions showed minimal effects from surface ablation.
• After extensive operation (55,000+ shots), ablation effects on plasma density remained non-evident.
• The 3D printed capillaries demonstrated sustained usability over extended periods.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed polymeric capillaries are a viable and cost-effective alternative for plasma-based acceleration.
• These capillaries significantly reduce prototyping costs and accelerate development cycles.
• The technology facilitates geometric manipulation, supporting the creation of cheaper and compact particle accelerators.