Introduction to Ingot Niobium

Superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) technology using niobium accelerating cavities was first applied at large scale in the recirculating electron linear accelerator CEBAF--the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility in Newport News, Virginia, USA, at what is now called Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or Jefferson Lab. Building on the high quality factors and peak magnetic fields found in low residual resistivity ratio (low-RRR) solid niobium in the 1970s, Jefferson Lab has reintroduced ingot niobium technology. High tantalum content in ingot niobium is not expected to negatively impact cavity performance, but will reduce the cost of accelerator structures considerably. Optimized low-cost CW linear accelerators built with ingot niobium will show the way for future R and D and industrial applications. This paper portrays the Jefferson Lab SRF context, reviews the early history of ingot niobium technology from over a third of a century ago, explains the technical advantages of that technology's recent reintroduction, and presents the outlook for further development.