Fabrication, tuning, and high-gradient testing of an X-band traveling-wave accelerating structure for VIGAS

X-band high-gradient linear accelerators are a challenging and attractive technology for compact electron linear-accelerator facilities. The Very Compact Inverse Compton Scattering Gamma-ray Source (VIGAS) program at Tsinghua University will utilize X-band high-gradient accelerating structures to boost the electron beam from 50 to 350 MeV over a short distance. A constant-impedance traveling-wave structure consisting of 72 cells working in the 2π/3 mode was designed and fabricated for this project. Precise tuning and detailed measurements were successfully applied to the structure. After 180 h of conditioning in the Tsinghua high-power test stand, the structure reached a target gradient of 80 MV/m. The breakdown rate versus gradient of this structure was measured and analyzed.