AWA - Argonne Wakefield Accelerator Facility
Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA) is a research facility dedicated to driving advancements in accelerator physics and technology for the future. Our focus primarily lies in, but is not limited to, the study and development of high-gradient acceleration, advanced beam manipulation, and high-brightness electron sources. The facility is equipped with various capabilities enabling research in aforementioned focus area.
Facility bio
Name of Facility: Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA) Facility
Laboratory: Argonne National Laboratory
Address: 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439
Point of Contact: Philippe Piot
Facility website: Link
Publications list: Link
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Beam Type | Electrons |
| Beam Energy | main: 63 MeV and 44 MeV, optional: 25 and 5.5 MeV |
| Repetition Rate | main: 1 - 2 Hz, optional: 10 Hz is available for limited cases |
| Bunch Charge | 1 pC - 100 nC for a single bunch, 1 pC - 50 nC for a few GHz bunch train, 1 pC - 3 nC for a sub-THz bunch train |
| Bunch Length | 100 μm - 1.3 mm (out of injector, depending on charge) Shorter or longer bunches are available via emittance exchange for < 5 nC charge |
| Beam spot size | Below 10 μm to 8 mm (depending on charge) |
| Energy Spread | 0.005% - 5% (depending on charge) |
| Transverse profile | Uniform, waterbag or any other required |
| Longitudinal profile | Waterbag/flattop (> 5 nC), any profile (< 5 nC) |
Science specialists: At the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA), we possess a diverse array of competencies crucial to our three research themes of high-gradient wakefield acceleration, advanced beam manipulation, and high-brightness electron sources. Specifically, our team includes experts in LLRF systems, Laser systems, High-power RF structure’s design and fabrication, Beam and RF diagnostics, Cathode production, Beamline design, and Beam and RF physics.
Available tools:
780 nm laser (<50 mJ) and 260 nm laser (<5 mJ), and other conventional laser optics
Micro-lens array for UV laser homogenization
3-5 transverse phase space diagnostics (slit-scan, quad-scan, projection, AI/ML) and relevant subsystems e.g., YAG screen and Camera
Two longitudinal phase space diagnostics (deflecting cavity and dipole magnet) and relevant subsystems e.g., YAG screen and Camera
Total of >30 2-inch bore quadrupole magnets and 12 1-inch bore quadrupole magnets
Currently 4 transverse deflecting cavities. Two more will be available in next couple of years
Previously tested power extraction tubes can be used for 10-20 GHz, short-pulse, high-power power source.
Ultrafast oscilloscope (>12GHz) and network analyzer (0-200 GHz, with small gap near 80 GHz)
Capabilities
At the heart of our facility lies several unique capabilities that set us apart:
High-Charge Capability: Our facility provides an operational charge ranging from 1 pC to 100 nC for a single bunch. Moreover, we can generate bunch trains up to 16 bunches long, at 50 nC per bunch for GHz testing and at few nC for THz testing.
Multiple Experimental Areas: We offer five experimental areas. Three areas provide a device under test (DUT) space of 2-3 m that can be configured as required for the experiment. One area is currently optimized for high-power structures for wakefield acceleration. The last area has approximately 6 m of space and full reconfigurable for each experiment.
Independently Operable Beamlines: Our facility features two separate beamlines capable of generating bunches independently.
Emittance Exchange Beamline: AWA is home to the only available Emittance EXchange (EEX) beamline that is used for various research topics while also capable of providing accurately shaped longitudinal profiles for other experiments.
Dedicated Cathode Test Beamline: Argonne Cathode Teststand (ACT) is a dedicated beamline for cathode tests. It is equipped with optics to control the beam’s condition for measurements and several other beam diagnostics to obtain information related to the cathode’s performance.
In addition to these distinctive features, we offer a range of facility capabilities such as: Cathode deposition chamber; 5 mJ UV Laser and reconfigurable optics; shielded RF Measurement Room; RF preparation room; comprehensive beam diagnostics (from second moment to phase space measurements)
Ideal Experiment
The ideal experiment for the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA) capitalizes on our unique capabilities and expertise in one or all of AWA’s three core themes: high-gradient wakefield acceleration, advanced beam manipulation, and high-brightness electron sources.
One such experiment could involve the exploration of novel accelerating structures using AWA’s state-of-the-art photocathode RF gun, capable of generating high-bunch-charge electron beams with exceptional precision. In this experiment, researchers would utilize the AWA facility's high-charge capability, ranging from 1 pC to 100 nC for a single bunch, and the ability to generate up to 16 bunch trains with 50 nC per bunch. This allows for the investigation of wakefield acceleration at unprecedented levels of intensity and control.
Additionally, experiments requiring optimized space and beamline, two independently generated and controlled beams from separate beamlines, as well as optics and diagnostics for cathode research, would fit well within the AWA facility.
Furthermore, the availability of AWA’s exclusive emittance exchange beamline offers opportunities for research on novel beam manipulation concepts, including emittance exchange and repartitioning. It also provides opportunities to refine longitudinal beam profiles, enhancing experimental precision.
