Vertical Electro-Polishing of 704 MHz Resonators Using Ninja Cathode: Gradients Over 40 MV/m Achieved on ESS Single-Cell Cavity

CEA, KEK and Marui Galvanizing Company have been collaborating to apply the Vertical Electropolishing (VEP) process of elliptical SRF cavities to a 704MHz single-cell ESS-type cavity, using a rotating so called and patented "Ninja" cathode. First presented results* were promising with a gradient of 27MV/m achieved, without any heat treatment applied. The performance has been pushed further since. The cavity has undergone a heat treatment at 650°C during 10h, followed by a final VEP sequence and a baking at 120°C during 48h hours. The achieved gradient at 2K was 44MV/m (power limitation), and the quality factor Q₀ exceeding 5·10¹⁰ up to 10 MV/m. The superiority of VEP compared to standard "BCP" chemical treatment is demonstrated and we intend now to scale the process to 5-Cell β=0.86 ESS cavity. We also intend to push further the performance by applying "2-step baking" (75°C and 120°C) proposed by FNAL, which was successfully applied at CEA Saclay on 1300MHz single-cell resonators with gradients above 50MV/m achieved after VEP bulk treatment.
Proceedings of the 31st International Linear Accelerator Conference, LINAC2022, Liverpool, UK