BEAM DYNAMICS IN THE ADVANCED TEST ACCELERATOR (ATA)

We will review the performance of the Advanced Test Accelerator, a 50 MeV, 10 KA induction linac. The discussion will cover the operation of the plasma cathode electron source, beam transport throughout the accelerator, and transverse instabilities. Particular emphasis will be placed on the beam breakup instability and on the methods used to minimize it. These include a program of design changes that lead to an order of magnitude reduction in the Q's of the accelerator cavity modes and optimization of the transport tune.