Laser polishing of niobium for application to superconducting radio frequency cavities

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.4752216· OSTI ID:1052213

Singaravelu, Senthil; Klopf, John Michael; Xu, Chen; Krafft, Geoffrey; Kelley, Michael J.

Superconducting radio frequency niobium cavities are at the heart of an increasing number of particle accelerators. Their performance is dominated by a several nanometer thick layer at the interior surface. Maximizing the smoothness of this surface is critical, and aggressive chemical treatments are now employed to this end. The authors describe laser-induced surface melting as an alternative 'greener' approach. Selection of laser parameters guided by modeling achieved melting that reduced the surface roughness from the fabrication process. The resulting topography was examined by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope (AFM). Plots of power spectral density computed from the AFM data give further insight into the effect of laser melting on the topography of the mechanically polished (only) niobium.

• Research Organization: Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, VA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC) (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-06OR23177
• OSTI ID: 1052213
• Report Number(s): JLAB-FEL--12-1638; DOE/OR/23177--2330
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 30; ISSN 1071-1023
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS