17–22 May 2026
C.I.D
Europe/Zurich timezone

HIGH QUANTUM EFFICIENCY ALKALI-ANTIMONIDE PHOTOCATHODES FOR PERLE HIGH CURRENT DC GUN

THP2102
21 May 2026, 16:00
2h
C.I.D

C.I.D

Deauville, France
Poster Presentation MC2.A18: Photon sources: Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs) Poster session

Speaker

Melanie De Vos (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab)

Description

Modern particle accelerators, while enabling cutting-edge research, face major challenges in energy efficiency and beam intensity. The PERLE (Powerful Energy Recovery Linac for Experiments) project, developed at IJCLab/CNRS, aims to demonstrate a high-current energy recovery linac (ERL) using superconducting RF technology. By recovering the beam energy after use, PERLE drastically reduces RF power consumption and cryogenic load, paving the way for sustainable, high-performance accelerators. A key element is the development of alkali-antimonide photocathodes, combining high quantum efficiency and low thermal emittance. CsK₂Sb photocathodes, in particular, show excellent response to visible light, enabling operation with lower laser power and improved beam quality. Their fabrication relies on a unique deposition system equipped with a dedicated transfer line that links the glove box—where precursors are prepared—to the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) chamber for growth, and ultimately to the electron gun for installation. Preliminary tests at IJCLab achieved a quantum efficiency of 3 %, validating this integrated approach for high-current ERLs such as PERLE.

In which format do you inted to submit your paper? Word
Preprint marking on your proceeding paper I do not wish my paper to be marked as preprint.

Author

Melanie De Vos (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab)

Co-authors

Maud Baylac (Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie) Sylvain Brault (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Julien Demailly (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Mamadou Faye (Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds) Olivier Frossard (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Thibaud Gerardin (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Michael Hoffmann (RI Research Instruments Gmbh) Walid Kaabi (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Björn Keune (RI Research Instruments GmbH) Verena Kuemper (RI Research Instruments Gmbh) Bruno Mercier (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Eric Mistretta (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Christoph Quitmann (RI Research Instruments GmbH) Denis Reynet (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Gaël Sattonnay (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab) Jonathan Yemane (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS/IN2P3, IJCLab)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.