Klystron Department

Vacuum Processing Group

The primary mission of the Vacuum Processin Group is to perform high temperature vacuum bake-out of klystrons produced and used at SLAC. The group specializes in ultra high vacuum outgassing (to pressures of 10E-10 torr or lower) required for state of the art high power vacuum electronic devices.

	65 MW SLAC accelerator klystron (designated the “5045”) ready for installation on vacuum processing station. These klystrons are typically baked at 550C for 200 hours to achieve a final pressure of less that 1x10E-9 torr.
	High power klystron mounted on vacuum bake-out station. The klystron is connected to the station UHV system through a copper “pinch-off tube” which allows the klystron to be permanently sealed when the vacuum processing is complete. A secondary vacuum system protects the outside of the klystron from oxidation. Three stations in the background have their vacuum ovens installed.

Lowering the 1.2 megawatt CW SLAC B-factory storage ring klystron after removal from vacuum processing station.

Bake-out preparations for 75 megawatt PPM (periodic permanent magnet focused) x-band klystron developed for the Next Linear Collider. Stainless steel foil wrappings are used to reduce thermal shock and prevent deposition of metal vapors onto high voltage ceramic insulators.