Xbox

CERN operates a number of X-band klystron-based test stations working at CLIC main linac frequency (11.944 GHz).

Xbox 1

Xbox 2

Xbox 3

Xbox 1Xbox 2Xbox 3

50 MW/1.5 ms pulsed power

120 MW/250 ns compressed pulse

50 Hz repetition rate

RF signals

Dark current measurements

Accurate phase

E-beam capabilities

Connects to CTF3/CLEAR

50 MW/1.5 ms pulsed power

120 MW/250 ns compressed pulse

50 Hz repetition rate

RF signals

Dark current measurements

Accurate phase

Radiation measurements

Two DUT feeding with variable power splitting

Input phase variation

6-10 MW/5 ms pulse power

40-60 MW/100 ns compressed pulse

Up to 400 Hz repetition rate

2 DUT

RF signals

Dark current measurements

Accurate phase

Radiation monitors

Technology initially developed for CLIC has been expanding on recent years with projects inside and outside high energy physics running high-gradient X-band systems. Some examples of those systems can be found in the following table

SystemsTest standsOperating systems
LaboratoryNEXTEF @ KEK
EuPRAXIA @ SPARC_LAB
X-lab @ Melbourne university
X-band high power test stand @Tsinghua
NLCTA-XTA, Klystron lab @ SLAC
FERMI @ ELETTRA
SWISS FEL @ PSI
SXFEL @ Shanghai
LCLS
CLARA @ STFC Daresbury
FLASH Forward and FLASH2 @ DESY
ARES @ DESY

Xboxes are part of EURO-LABS !!

The so-called Xboxes or X-band facilities are part of EURO-LABS, a network of research infrastructures supporting research through accelerators.