ATCA LLRF System for ASU Compact FEL

TL;DR

This paper presents the design and implementation of an ATCA-based Low-Level Radio Frequency (LLRF) system for the ASU Compact X-ray Light Source, aiming to enhance small, coherent x-ray production for advanced research.

Contribution

It introduces a novel ATCA-based LLRF system specifically designed for the ASU Compact FEL, detailing its architecture and implementation.

Findings

Successful development of an ATCA LLRF system for the ASU FEL

Demonstrated stable operation at 9.3 GHz RF frequency

Potential for future multi-bunch operation enhancement

Abstract

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is collaborating with Arizona State University to design a LLRF system towards the advancement of the ASU Compact X-ray Light Source (CXLS). The CXLS is a phased project to develop small brilliant x-ray sources that may produce coherent x-rays appropriate as a seed source for LCLS and LCLS II. The CXLS electron beam is produced by an x-band photoinjector and linac operating at 9.3 GHz RF frequency and 1 kHz repetition rate with up to 300 pC per bunch. The linac consists of 3 short 20-cell sections of standing wave linac. The RF gun and linac sections are powered by two 6 MW transmitters using L3 klystrons and Scandi-nova K1 modulators. The accelerator will initially operate in single-bunch mode and may be upgraded to multi-bunch operation at a later date. SLAC National Laboratory has developed a LLRF system in Advanced Telecommunication Computing Architecture (ATCA) for the ASU project. This talk will discuss the design of the LLRF for this project and discuss the ATCA implementation.