Ion Solid Interaction And Surface Modification At RF Breakdown In High‐Gradient Linacs

Ion solid interactions have been shown to be an important new mechanism of unipolar arc formation in high‐gradient rf linear accelerators through surface self‐sputtering by plasma ions, in addition to an intense surface field evaporation. We believe a non‐Debye plasma is formed in close vicinity to the surface and strongly affects surface atomic migration via intense bombardment by ions, strong electric field, and high surface temperature. Scanning electron microscope studies of copper surface of an rf cavity were conducted that show craters, arc pits, and both irregular and regular ripple structures with a characteristic length of 2 microns on the surface. Strong field enhancements are characteristic of the edges, corners, and crack systems at surfaces subjected to rf breakdown.