• M.J. Bland, J. Clare, P. W. Wheeler
  University of Nottingham, Nottingham
• J.S. Przybyla
  EEV, Chelmsford, Essex

Accelerators used for experiments in high-energy physics require very high power radio frequency sources to provide the energy needed to accelerate the particles. The RF power needs to be stable and predictable such that any variation in the supplied RF power has a limited and acceptable impact on the accelerated beam quality. The output load specifications for high voltage DC power systems are becoming increasingly more demanding. In addition, the impact of such systems on the electricity source is becoming more tightly regulated through power quality directives. These regulations set limits, for example, on the allowable individual harmonic current amplitudes and on "flicker" caused by transient load demands - the latter is particularly important for "long-pulse" modulators. The requirements above have to be met while still providing higher reliability to a higher specification at lower cost. A situation has now been reached where modulators based on existing approaches cannot meet these specifications and stay within acceptable cost and size limits. This demands that new approaches be taken to provide the power supplies needed for such applications. The research proposed here addresses this need.

• D. Cook, M. Catucci, J. Clare, P. W. Wheeler
  University of Nottingham, Nottingham
• J.S. Przybyla
  EEV, Chelmsford, Essex

This paper is concerned with a new type of power supply for high power RF applications for CW operation. The converter is a direct topology operating with a high frequency (resonant) link. Switching losses are minimised by switching at zero current. High operating frequency allows for minimised transformer and filter size. Advantages of this topology over conventional approaches are discussed, along with the potential problems and proposed solutions. Recently, considerable interest has been shown in direct converter topologies as an alternative topology in motor drive applications. This approach offers advantages such as reduced energy storage and higher energy density compared to conventional topologies. The work presented in this paper capitalises on these advantages in other fields, namely power conversion for RF supplies. The RF power needs to be stable and predictable such that any variation has a limited impact on the accelerated beam quality. In order to meet the required output voltage specification such designs require output filters with consequent energy storage. Management of this energy in the event of a fault is necessary if destruction of the tube is to be avoided.