Mechanical design of the drift-tube linac (DTL) for the Spallation Neutron Source

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) utilizes a linac to accelerate H/sup o/ns to 1 GeV at an average beam power of 1.4 MW. The linac consists of four RF structures: a 2.5-MeV RFQ, an 87-MeV DTL, a 186-MeV CCL, and a 1-GeV SRF linac. The DTL is divided into six RF structures, each powered by a 2.5-MW klystron. Design and fabrication of the DTL has been completed, and LANL has aligned and tuned the first structure (Tank #3) to be installed at ORNL. The description of the design and fabrication process, including machining and copper plating of the tank sections, machining and welding of the drift tubes. Also, design and fabrication of the post couplers, slug tuners, endwalls, Iris waveguide, and support structure is discussed. In addition, the assembly and alignment of the RF components using the Leica Laser Tracker System Coordinate Measuring Machine are also discussed.