Design of a cathode insertion and transfer system for LCLS-II-HE SRF Gun

Superconducting radio frequency photo injectors (SRF gun) offer advantages for operating in continuous wave (CW) mode and generating high-brightness and high-current beams. A new SRF gun is designed as a low emittance photo injector for LCLS-II-HE and a prototype gun is currently being developed under collaboration between SLAC, FRIB, HZDR and ANL. The aim is to demonstrate stable CW operation at a cathode gradient of 30 MV/m. One of the crucial components for successful SRF gun operation is the photocathode system. The new SRF gun will adopt the HZDR-type cathode, which includes a cathode holder fixture (cathode stalk) developed by FRIB and a cathode exchange system designed by HZDR. This innovative cathode insertion system ensures accurate, particle-free and warm cathode exchanges. A novel alignment process targets the cathode to the stalk axis without touching cathode plug itself. To commission the prototype gun, metallic cathodes will be used. A specifically designed vacuum system ensures vacuum pressure of 10-9 mbar for transport of a single cathode from the cleanroom to the gun.