Leda – a High-power Test Bed of Innovation and Opportunity

The low-energy demonstration accelerator (LEDA) is an operational 6.7-MeV, 100-mA, cw proton accelerator consisting of an injector, radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ), and all associated integration equipment. Achieving this unprecedented level of performance (670kW of beam power) from an RFQ required a number of design innovations. We highlight a number of those more-significant technical advances, including those in the proton injector, the RFQ configuration, the RF klystrons, the beam stop, and beam measurements. In addition to identifying the importance of these innovations to LEDA performance, we summarize the plans for further testing, and the possibilities for addition of more accelerating structures, including the possible use of very-low-beta super-conducting structures. LEDA’s current and upgradable configuration is appropriate for several future high-power accelerators, including those for the transmutation of radioactive waste.