Lasertron: a pulsed rf source using a laser-triggered photocathode

A new pulsed rf source, the 'lasertron', is being developed as a possible rf power source for future electron-positron linear colliders. In a series of systematic studies, a prototype lasertron was fabricated and tested. A peak power of 80 kW was attained at a 2.856 GHz rf frequency with a 1 μs time duration. This paper describes the results of experimentation on the lasertron, including the development of the photocathode and the laser system. Test results are compared with the analysis of beam dynamics in the lasertron. (author)