BOLT

Breakthrough On Linac Technology

Development of a linear particle accelerator prototype with a new construction technique based on the use of special metallic gaskets that allow avoiding risky and costly brazing procedures.

Particle accelerators consist of a large number of metallic cells, normally made of copper, which are then connected together through brazing performed in vacuum furnaces. The resulting structure must be vacuum-tight to allow the passage of the particle beam and must ensure the electrical conduction necessary for generating the extremely high radiofrequency electric fields that accelerate the particles. It follows that the quality of the brazing that connects the cells is critical for the accelerator’s operation and requires very complex execution and control procedures.

The BOLT project has developed special copper gaskets that simultaneously guarantee:

• • excellent vacuum sealing, even when subjecting the joint to degassing processes (up to 180-200°C);
  • perfect RF contact between the metallic parts;
  • excellent electrical continuity so that the surface currents flowing transversely through the gasket do not encounter gaps or peaks that can promote discharges during the power supply phase;
  • vacuum sealing and RF contact with very low compression between the parts, so that the surfaces adjacent to the gasket do not deform and it is possible to replace the gasket if necessary without having to rework the parts.