A 7MeV S-Band 2998MHz Variable Pulse Length Linear Accelerator System

An S-band (2998MHz) linear accelerator system capable of producing a range of pulse lengths and currents for radiation chemistry research has been designed and commissioned by American Science and Engineering High Energy Systems Division (AS&E HESD.) The system allows samples to be exposed to electron beam pulses as short as 8nS FWHM (Full Width Half Maximum) with 1.1A peak current and pulses as long as 3uS with .12A peak current. The available electron pulse durations are 3uS, 400nS, 200nS 100nS, 40nS, 18nS and 8nS. FWHM. The pulse repetition rate is variable from 50 to 250pps. The beam centerline consists of a pulsed electron gun (3A 15kV 1.5-3uS pulse duration), an electrostatic deflector (±1.5kV), a side coupled standing wave linear accelerator fed by a 2.6MW magnetron, beam focusing optics and a Bergoz FCT current monitor. In this paper a discussion of the beam centerline construction, deflector design and experimental data are presented.