Prior Research on Additive Manufacturing of Superconducting Radio frequency Cavity for Particle Accelerators

With the advent of the quantum technology era, there is a growing interest in the development of fundamental research equipment in related fields. Particle accelerators are crucial tools in the study of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, playing a significant role in the advancement of quantum technology. The key component of particle accelerators, the superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavity, is traditionally manufactured using conventional methods such as deep drawing and electron beam welding with pure niobium (Nb) sheets. However, this manufacturing process has drawbacks, including low material yield and electrical non-uniformity due to the presence of welded joints. To overcome these shortcomings, this study focused on the development of SRF cavity manufacturing technology using additive manufacturing (AM). Before producing the cavity with pure Nb, preliminary research was conducted using relatively inexpensive pure titanium powder to assess the feasibility of AM for the cavity's shape. Prior to performing the AM of the cavity, process analysis based on finite element method was conducted to verify the level of thermal deformation and stress distribution in the parts and optimal support design was suggested to ensure dimensional precision. After the completion of AM, a barrel finishing and turning process were performed to enhance the inner surface quality and dimensional accuracy of cavity cell. As a result, it was confirmed that the shape of cavity could be successfully manufactured through the AM method.