Development of an X-band RF Gun at SLAC

As part of a National Cancer Institute grant to develop a compact source of monoenergetic X‐rays via the Compton Effect, we have completed the design of a Laser‐driven 5.5 cell RF gun operating at 11.424 GHz. The goal is to develop an RF Gun which can generate a 7 MeV, 0.5nC electron beam with an RMS emittance of >1 π‐mm‐mR. We have completed simulations of the total beamline, including the RF gun, accelerator structure, focusing quadrupole triplet and electron beam/laser beam Interaction Region using PARMELA. Results of these simulations will be presented, showing that a 60 MeV electron bunch can be focused to an interaction point two meters downstream of the photocathode. We will also present results of RF measurements of the Gun‐cold‐test model showing the field distribution along the gun axis and the gun resonances. Details of the RF power Source, Emittance‐Compensating Solenoid and Laser system will also be presented.