SRF2025 - 22nd International Conference on RF Superconductivity

Development of a 1.3 GHz longitudinally split RF research cavity for use in testing of superconducting thin films

TUP19

23 Sept 2025, 14:30

3h

Ito International Research Center

Board: TUP19

Student Poster Presentation MC2: Fundamental SRF research and development Tuesday Poster Session

Speaker

Nathan Leicester (Lancaster University, Cockcroft Institute)

Description

RF testing is a key element in the development of superconducting thin film coated cavities. In order to optimize the deposition process, tests initially focussed on flat samples, before moving on to RF cavity tests, however the jump from flat samples to cavities is large and often requires significant changes to the deposition process. In order to develop a
multi-step approach to cavity testing, a new 1.3 GHz test cavity has been designed as an intermediary between depositing on flat samples and research cavities. The cavity is split longitudinally, giving it an open-faced design, that enables planar thin film deposition techniques, as well as facilitating easy access for quality control of the deposited surfaces. In addition it has been designed to have a low surface electric field, which allows us to test the superconducting properties due only to the magnetic field, without it being perturbed by field emissions. This paper discusses the design of this novel cavity geometry for use in thin film testing.