U.S. Particle Accelerator School
U.S. Particle Accelerator School
America's National School of Accelerator Science and Technology

RF Superconductivity for Particle Accelerators

Sponsoring University:

Michigan State University

Course Name:

RF Superconductivity for Particle Accelerators
This class is full.

Instructors:

Sergey Belomestnykh, Fermilab; Silvia Verdu Andres and Paolo Berrutti, Brookhaven National Lab
TA: Vijay Chouhan, Fermilab

Purpose and Audience
This graduate-level course covers the science fundamentals and practical engineering, manufacturing, processing, and operational aspects of the superconducting RF (SRF) cavities and systems – the state-of-the-art technology used for both pulsed and continuous wave particle acceleration. The course is intended to give a comprehensive introduction to the field for students, engineers, and physicists interested in entering this field, as well as to deepen understanding of the technology for those already exposed to some aspects of SRF science and technology.

Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of electromagnetism, microwave techniques, solid state/condensed matter physics, and mathematical methods for scientists and engineers at the senior undergraduate level.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they meet the course prerequisites or have equivalent experience.

Objectives
Upon completion of the course students are expected to have a clear understanding of the advantages, basic underlying physics, open questions, and domain of applicability of SRF technology, as well as state-of-the-art infrastructure and techniques required for successful implementation of SRF-based accelerators.

Instructional Method
The course will include lectures and review sessions. Four homework assignments, each containing from 2 to 4 problems, will be given. The final exam problems will encompass the topics learned during the course. Instructors and/or teaching assistants will be available for help during evening homework sessions.

Course Content
The course lectures will start from an introduction to the principles of RF acceleration and a general mathematical description of microwave cavities. The phenomenon of superconductivity, and the advantages it brings for RF cavities will then be discussed in detail. In-depth coverage of principles of RF superconductivity and various types of SRF cavities used for different applications will follow. Extrinsic phenomena adversely affecting the performance will be discussed. Modern cavity manufacturing, processing, and basic measurement techniques will then be reviewed. Key steps and challenges in engineering and operating of complete SRF cryomodules (cryostats, cavities, input couplers, higher order mode couplers and loads, frequency tuners) will be fully discussed. Beam-cavity interaction issues in operation will also be presented. Overview of the recent scientific progress and outlook with of remaining challenges and promising research directions will conclude the course.

Reading Requirements
The textbook RF Superconductivity for Accelerators by H. Padamsee, J. Knobloch, and T. Hays, John Wiley and Sons, 2nd edition (2008), provided by USPAS, will be extensively used during the course.

It is recommended that students refresh their knowledge of the fundamentals of electrodynamics at the level of one of the following (or other similar) textbooks:


and their knowledge of condensed matter physics/superconductivity at the level of:
Additional suggested reference books:
Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated based on the following performances: final exam (40% of final grade), homework assignments and class participation (60% of final grade).

USPAS Computer Requirements
There will be no Computer Lab and all participants are required to bring their own portable computer to access online course notes and computer resources. This can be a laptop or a tablet with a sufficiently large screen and keyboard. Windows, Mac, and Linux-based systems that are wifi capable and have a standard web browser and mouse are all acceptable. You should have privileges for software installs. If you are unable to bring a computer, please contact uspas@fnal.gov ASAP to request a laptop loan. Very limited IT support and spare loaner laptops will be available during the session.

Michigan State University course number:  PHY 963 US Particle Accelerator School, Section 702 RF Superconductivity for Particle Accelerators
Indiana University course number: Physics 571 Special Topics in Physics of Beams
MIT course number: 8.790 Accelerator Physics