Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Superconductive Cavity to Study Surface Resistance- Weld Test and Structural Analysis

Undergraduate #291
Discipline: Physics
Subcategory: Nanoscience

Khensu-Ra Love El - Morehouse College

A uniquely designed Superconducting Radiofrequency (SRF) cavity will be used to study surface resistance as a function of frequency, surface magnetic field, and different cavity processes. In minimizing surface resistance, the Quality (Q) factor, and energy efficiency, increases. While physicists have discovered a theoretical equation that relates the surface resistance and Q factor, it is only valid for a small range of data relating the two. The accumulation of test results and recent findings urge us to better understand the surface resistance of superconductors. As a result, the focus of this study is to advance the limited knowledge on surface resistance as a function of frequency, magnetic field strength, and different processes to find a better-fitting equation. The procedure of this study includes designing, fabricating, and testing a cavity suitable for this study. The current focus in the project is the fabrication which includes verifying the unique weld, determining the structural strength of the cavity’s shell, and confirming the functionality of the cavity’s variable input coupler. It was determined that the same weld parameters from the weld test could also be applied to the entire cavity during the fabrication process, and the cavity’s structural strength met all safety requirements. However, due to the extensive and meticulous testing period, which ranges from 1-2 years, no results for the cavity study were achieved yet. If ideal results were obtained, this would lead to the derivation of a more accurate equation for the relationship of surface resistance as a function of frequency, magnetic field strength, and other processes. Ultimately, the data could possibly assist in the creation of better cavities by improving their Q factor which would also lower the cost in running any experiments dealing with SRF conductors. This means that scientists all over the world will be able to immensely improve instruments that consist of the super conducting cavity technology such as global security, medical field, and the development of sustainable and renewable energies.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Old Dominion University, National Science Foundation

Faculty Advisor: HyeKyoung Park,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.