Status of the stony brook superconducting heavy-ion linac

We describe the present status of the State University of New York at Stony Brook Superconducting Heavy-Ion LINAC (SUNYLAC). The LINAC will extend at very modest cost the capabilities of the existing FN tandem Van de Graaff into the energy range 5–10 MeV/A for light heavy-ions from oxygen to bromine. The active elements are 43 lead-plated copper superconducting resonators of the split-loop type optimized for either velocity β=v/c=0.055 or β=0.10. Phase and amplitude of each resonator is independently set through RF-feedback controllers interfaced to an over-all computer control system. Full scale construction work began in July, 1979 following the in-beam demonstration of a prototype LINAC module containing 4 low-β resonators, and the majority of the installation work on the beam transport and refrigeration systems was completed in the summer of 1980. The project is now well into its final assembly and testing phase, with the completion of assembly scheduled in early 1982. We describe details of the design of key elements of the LINAC and the initial operating experience with the injection beam path, helium refrigerator and first production accelerator module. The progress of a continuing program aimed at optimizing crucial aspects of the LINAC is also reviewed.