A hard copper open X-band RF accelerating structure made by two halves

This communication focuses on the technological developments aiming to show the viability of novel welding techniques [1,2], and related applications, in order to benefit from the superior high-gradient performance of accelerating structures made of hard-copper alloys. The technological activity of testing high-gradient RF sections is related to the investigation of breakdown mechanisms, which limit the high gradient performance of these structures. In this content, our activity consists of the design, construction and high- power experimental tests of standing-wave (SW) 11.424 GHz (X-band) accelerating cavities with different materials and methods. The goal is to assess the maximum sustainable gradients with extremely low probability of RF breakdown in normal-conducting high-gradient RF cavities.