Hardware R&D of the KEK/JAERI 50 GeV synchrotron fast extraction kicker magnets

The fast extraction kicker magnets of the 50 GeV synchrotron are now in an intensive R&D stage. In the 50 GeV ring, the fast extraction system is designed to deliver the 50 GeV beam to the downstream neutrino oscillation experiment beam line with the Super-Kamiokande detector. At the same time, the fast extraction line is required to function as a beam abort, in case of hardware failure during acceleration of the beam from 3 GeV to 50 GeV. In order to fulfill both demands, the extraction system is designed to accommodate bipolar beam extraction. A new technology to make the bipolar kicker magnet system, using a symmetric Blumlein pulse forming network (SBPFN) system, has been introduced. Its validity is being investigated, both theoretically and experimentally. R&D programs aimed at establishing some of the important technical elements in the fast extraction kicker system are presently in progress. This R&D includes experimental studies of the bipolar kicker principle and the development of IGBT switching modules that satisfy full switching capability of the designed current and voltage.