Development of a Neutronics Facility using Radio Frequency Quadrupole for Characterization of Fusion Grade Materials

Qualification of the materials is among the important challenges for a fusion reactor. Working in tandem with the present need that recognizes the value of evaluating fusion reactor materials, Institute for Plasma Research has initiated the 'Development of RFQ for Accelerators' project, which will provide a neutronic facility for material qualification in a relatively larger scale. The facility will consist of an high intensity ECR ion (H⁺/D⁺) source coupled to Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) Accelerator through a LEBT system to produce 5 MeV, 40 mA deuterium ions to fulfil the objectives. Further upgrade in the beam energy and current is also foreseen to suit the facility requirement. A four vane type copper RFQ @352.2 MHz frequency with transmission efficiency of ≈ 96% has been designed to accelerate deutrons upto 1 MeV energy as a demonstration of the RFQ functioning and controls. Through LEBT system, deuterons are then focused into RFQ using weak beam focalization method. The harmonization of the vane tips design and manufacturing constraints has been part of the study to have a near realistic engineering design. Design and analysis of RFQ will be discussed.
Proceedings of the 7th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2016, Busan, Korea