First operating experience with the CERN decelerating RFQ for antiprotons

The RFQD decelerates antiprotons from a momentum of 100 MeV/c (kinetic energy 5.31 MeV) down to a kinetic energy variable between /spl sim/10 keV and 120 keV A novel feature is the implementation of a floating internal RF structure, mounted on HV insulators, to allow continuous post-deceleration or acceleration by a DC bias. A description of the system is given, followed by reports on the first operating experience with the ASACUSA experiment, dedicated performance measurements and consolidation progress.