Symmetrical double input coupler development

RF power is usually transmitted into an accelerator section from a rectangular waveguide through a single coupling iris. This arrangement introduces phase and amplitude asymmetries into the coupler fields with which the beam interacts. Field distortion can be reduced by machining an offset into the cavity wall opposite the iris. However, the compensation is imperfect. In this paper we describe the development and testing of a double input coupler which is completely symmetric about a vertical plane through the beam axis. Two identical irises are used on opposite sides of the coupler cavity. These are fed in-phase by signals from a Magic Tee power divider. Each iris transmits one half of the total power flow. Coupler dimensions for an X-Band model have been optimized using MAFIA and conventional low-power matching techniques. The coupler has been built into a 30-cavity test accelerator section and operated up to 85 MV/m with no evidence of breakdown