DESIGN, FABRICATION, AND TESTING OF THE BNL RADIO FREQUENCY QUADRUPOLE ACCELERATOR.

The Brookhaven National Laboratory polarized H** minus injection program for the AGS utilizes a Radio Frequency Quadrupole Accelerator for acceleration between the polarized source and the Alvarez Linac. Although operation has commenced with a few mu amperes of H** minus beam, it is anticipated that future polarized H** minus sources will have a considerably improved output. The RFQ will operate at 201. 25 MHz and will be capable of handling a beam current of 0. 02 amperes with a duty cycle of 0. 25%. The resulting low average power has allowed novel solutions to the problems of vane alignment, rf current contacts, and removal of heat from the vanes. The design philosophy, details of cavity fabrication, and vane machining are discussed. Results of low and high power rf testing are presented together with the initial results of operations in the polarized H** minus beam line.