The Modulators, Klystrons & High-Gradient Structures (MKS) section at CERN is essential for the advancement of particle accelerator technology. We design, install, operate, and optimise high power radio-frequency systems for the LHC, Linac 4, and test facilities for future accelerators. Additionally, we develop electron beam acceleration systems for the CERN plasma wake field acceleration project (AWAKE). We drive the production, testing, and industry transfer of CERN's X-band technology for high gradient accelerating structures.
Our team includes motivated young scientists that contribute to driving forward R&D for the next high energy physics collider within a rich and environment. We also collaborate with many institutions, industry and the European Union.
Modulators
Pulsed power modulators are used to feed the klystrons with short, high-voltage, and high current bursts. We maintain and operate Pulse Forming Network (PFN) and commercial solid-state modulators working on CLEAR, AWAKE and the X-band test facility. We also collaborate with SY/EPC on the maintenance of their long pulse and CW modulators for Linac4 and LHC. For the CERN flagship collider, we also provide the high voltage modulation for operating the klystron cathode grid, plus crowbar safety systems.
ScandiNova - Klystron based RF units
Digital measurment system for the LHC klystron high voltage modulator
Klystrons
Klystrons are commercially available linear-beam vacuum tube, which are used as an RF amplifier from UHF up into the microwave range to power the accelerating structures in an accelerator. At CERN, we use klystrons in Linac4, LHC, AWAKE, and the electron beam facility CLEAR. We also use klystrons in our X-band test facility for testing CLIC prototypes.
We specify, procure, operate and maintain klystrons. We also engage in collaboration with industry on research and development of new high-efficiency klystrons and power sources in general
High-efficiency klystrons from a dream to reality
Superconducting RF Test Facility (STF) in KEK
High-Gradient Structures
We design, manufacture and test normal conducting, high-gradient travelling-wave structures as prototypes for CLIC, CompactLight, DEFT and other projects, mainly working at 12 GHz. The structures are made by ultraprecision machining oxygen free copper disks and assembling them together with a precision in the order of microns. Structures build that way will sustain very high electrical fields and have reach accelerating gradients over 100MV/m
We also design and build all X-band passive RF components needed for power distribution and measure. We grant access to the manufacturing drawings under an open hardware license.
Advanced concepts for high-gradient acceleration
Research and Projects
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Operations: We support operation of the main accelerators at CERN including maintenance, stand-by service, improvements and spare management. |
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Projects: The members of the section drive these projects by developing and optimizing advanced RF systems, high-gradient structures, and electron beam acceleration technologies, while also leading R&D efforts for future collider advancements |
Awake 2 |
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Workshops: We organize periodically workshops for sharing expertise, presenting research development, and fostering collaboration on cutting-edge technologies. |
