SUCCESSFUL LABORATORY-INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPS: THE CORNELL-FRIATEC SEGMENTED INSULATOR FOR HIGH VOLTAGE DC PHOTOCATHODE GUNS

High voltage DC photocathode guns currently offer the most reliable path to electron beams with high current and brightness. The performance of a photocathode gun is directly dependent on its vacuum and high voltage capabilities, determined in large part by the ceramic insulators. The insulator must meet XHV standards, bear the load of pressurized SF6 on its exterior, support the massive electrode structures as well as holding off DC voltages up to 750 kV. The CornellFriatec insulator was designed collaboratively between the industrial and laboratory teams and has now been produced in quantity for projects at Cornell University and elsewhere. Stray electron tracking has guided the design of internal collector rings to ameliorate punch-through failures that have plagued earlier guns.