A new RF accelerating cavity for DIAMOND

Daresbury Laboratory currently operates a 2 GeV electron synchrotron radiation source (SRS), used by many academic and industrial concerns into the research of materials, structures and interfaces. As part of the development of synchrotron radiation research in the UK, a feasibility study has been initiated to replace the now elderly SRS with a world leading radiation source which would enable sustained research well into the next century. The 3 GeV energy of the new light source DIAMOND (acronym for DIpole And Multipole Output for the Nation at Daresbury), requires extensive development of the RF system to achieve a stable and efficient mechanism for acceleration of circulating electrons. This paper details the work that has been done using both 2D and 3D simulation tools to design the most cost effective accelerating structure solution. The computer aided design (CAD) tools used also highlight the problems in optimising accelerating structure (or cavity) geometry in terms of their electro-magnetic (e-m) characteristics. Being inherently expensive structures to manufacture, it is hoped this paper highlights the importance the use CAD simulation tools have in the field of accelerator design technology.