The PS 13.3-20 MHz RF systems for LHC

As part of the preparation of the PS as an injector for the LHC, a prototype 20 MHz rf system has been used, to demonstrate that the nominal longitudinal performance of the proton beam for LHC can be obtained using multiple bunch-splittings. Based on these successful results obtained during 2000, the development of the operational rf system began in 2001. To allow the preparation of bunch trains with a bunch spacing of 25 or 75 ns, this system must operate either at 20 or 13.3 MHz respectively. Two new ferrite cavities and their associated amplifiers have been designed and built. Each one can provide a maximum voltage of 20 kV peak during 200 ms with a 10% duty cycle. The cavities are equipped with fast (/spl sim/20 ms) gap shorting relays, and rf feedback reduces their Q below 10 at both frequencies. A single system is sufficient to generate the nominal beam for LHC. The second one will then be both a "hot spare" and a very valuable performance enhancement providing the possibility of handling a larger than nominal emittance or generating bunch trains with different spacings in the same PS supercycle. The design and the results measured on the final device are described and discussed.