Technology demonstration for the DARHT Linear Induction Accelerators
The Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamics Test (DARHT) facility will employ two 16-MeV, 3-kA Linear Induction Accelerators to produce intense, bremsstrahlung x-ray pulses for flash radiography. Technology demonstration of the key accelerator sub-systems is underway at the DARHT Integrated Test Stand (ITS), which will produce a 6-MeV, 3-kA, 60-ns flattop electron beam. We will summarize measurements of ITS injector, pulsed-power, and accelerator cell performance. Time-resolved measurements of the electron beam parameters will also be presented. These measurements indicate that the DARHT accelerator design is sufficiently advanced to provide the high quality electron beams required for radiography with sub-millimeter spatial resolution.
Status of the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrotest Facility
The Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamics Test (DARHT) Facility will employ two electron Linear Induction Accelerators to produce intense, bremsstrahlung x-ray pulses for flash radiography with sub-millimeter spatial resolution of very dense (attentuations > 105), dynamic objects. We will produce an intense x-ray pulse using a 19.75-MeV, 3.5-4 kA, 60-ns flattop electron beam focused onto a tungsten target. A 3.75-MeV injector with either a cold velvet cathode or a laserdriven photocathode will produce a beam to be accelerated through a series of 64 ferrite-loaded induction cells with solenoid focusing. Accelerator technology demonstrations have been underway for several years at the DARHT Integrated Test Stand (ITS) and results including beam energy, emittance, and Beam Break-Up (BBU) measurements are discussed here.
Cell design for the DARHT linear induction accelerators
The dual-axis radiographic hydrotest facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory will employ two linear induction accelerators to produce intense, bremsstrahlung X-ray pulses for flash radiography. The accelerator cell design for a 3-kA, 16-20-MeV, 60-ns flattop, high-brightness electron beam is presented. The cell is optimized for high-voltage stand-off while also minimizing the transverse impedance. Measurements of high-voltage RF characteristics are summarized.<<ETX>>