SRF Overview

What is SRF?

Superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) technology is a means of accelerating subatomic or atomic particles like electrons, protons, or ions. As in any radiofrequency (RF) accelerator, electromagnetic fields in the microwave frequency regime are built up inside of a metallic resonant structure (a cavity). The fields are synchronized with the arrival of the bunches of charged particles so that the particles interact with the fields and are accelerated forward. With superconducting RF (SRF), the metallic structure is almost completely lossless. This allows very high field levels to be sustained in the resonator without dissipating power that would otherwise melt the structure itself.

Niobium is the current superconducting material of choice. It has excellent superconducting properties at liquid helium temperatures (1.8-4.2 K). Cryomodules that contain these superconducting resonators are designed to provide the required insulated cryogenic environment and precisely locate the cavities with respect to the beam that passes through it.

What is SRF technology used for?

How did SRF technology develop at JLab?

What are Jlab's existing SRF capabilities?