First 3D Printed IH-Type Linac Structure—Proof-of-Concept for Additive Manufacturing of Linac RF Cavities

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM or “3D printing”) has become a powerful tool for the rapid prototyping and manufacturing of complex part geometries. Especially interesting for the world of particle accelerators is the process of the 3D printing of stainless steel (and copper) parts. We present a first prototype of a 433 MHz IH-type linac cavity with an internal drift tube structure manufactured by metal 3D printing. The prototype cavity has been constructed to act as a proof-of-concept for the technology. In this paper we present the concept of the cavity as well as first results of vacuum testing and materials testing.

Keywords

• additive manufacturing
• particle accelerator
• linac
• selective laser melting
• selective laser sintering
• direct metal laser sintering