A Compact Superconducting LINAC Module for CW Electron Acceleration

ELBE, the superconducting Electron Linac with high Brilliance and low Emittance (ELBE) is providing an average beam current of 1 mA at a maximum beam energy up to 40 MeV for more than a decade to its users. The electrons are used to generate THz radiation, infrared light (Free Electron Lasers), X-rays (electron channeling) and MeV-bremsstrahlung as well as fast neutrons and positrons for semiconductor physics, nuclear astrophysics and radio biological investigations and many more. An integral part of the accelerator is the compact 20 MeV superconducting LINAC module for CW operation that has been designed and built at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf more than 15 years ago. Very recently, an upgraded version was taken into operation and thus we will report on design improvements to reduce heating, material selection and demagnetization to ensure magnetic hygiene as well as on RF conditioning of the CW couplers. Additionally, module parameters such as static heat load, tuner resolution, microphonics, pressure sensitivity, Lorentz force detuning and intrinsic quality factor vs. electric field will be discussed.