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First plasma processing trial of a quarter-wave resonator cryomodule at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

Walter Hartung, Wei Chang, Yoo-Lim Cheon, Kyle Elliott, Sang-Hoon Kim, Taro Konomi, Patrick Tutt, Yuting Wu, and Ting Xu

Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 29, 012003 – Published 29 January, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/psx7-jp78

Abstract

Studies of plasma processing for reduction of field emission in quarter-wave resonator (QWR) cryomodules are underway at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), where a total of 104 QWRs are presently in operation. Driving the plasma with a higher-order mode allows for less mismatch at the fundamental power coupler and higher plasma density. The first plasma processing trial for FRIB QWRs in a cryomodule was conducted in January 2024. In-bunker cold tests of the cryomodule showed a significant reduction in field emission x-rays after plasma processing.

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