Suppression of multipacting in rectangular coupler waveguides

Although a rectangular waveguide coupler has the conceptual advantages of simplicity and capability of withstanding higher power, builders of modern superconducting accelerators are routinely choosing instead a coaxial coupler for its proven performance. Multipacting induced discharge has been found to be an operating mechanism that prevents a rectangular waveguide coupler from reaching its full potential. Earlier calculations predicted the existence of two-sided multipacting in a rectangular waveguide geometry. In the present study, special waveguide sections of CESR type were built and tested. Multipacting characteristics of the waveguide were identified. Two multipacting suppression methods, the slotted waveguide method and the DC magnetic bias method, were experimentally evaluated. The multipacting current is suppressed by a factor of more than 2 by opening a slot on the broad wall. Complete multipacting suppression can be realized by using the DC magnetic bias method.