OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND FUTURE GOALS OF THE SARAF PROTON / DEUTERON LINAC

Abstract

The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) is built as a user facility. An intense fast neutrons source, a thermal neutrons source and apparatuses for production of isotopes for basic and applied research will be available at the end of construction, foreseen in several years. SARAF is based on a high intensity CW proton / deuteron RF superconducting linear accelerator. Several novel technologies are used in order to build this demanding linac. To reduce technological risks, the construction was divided in two Phases. Phase-I was constructed in order to test and characterize the novel technologies and is in routine operation since 2010. SARAF phase-I, with its single 6 half-wave resonators separated vacuum cryomodule, is the first high current, superconducting low-beta linac in operation and it is presently delivering CW mA proton beams for target developments. Phase-II of this linac will allow acceleration up to 40 MeV and 5 mA CW proton and deuteron beams. Phase-II is now under conceptual redesign. The project status, the operational experience and the future goals of SARAF are described and discussed in this paper. INTRUDUCTION