e2v technologies has been selected to supply narrowband CW klystrons for use in Cornell University’s prototype energy-recovery linear accelerator (ERL), a new and advanced synchrotron radiation machine. The klystrons will aid the university with its research into building future machines for unprecedented materials science and bio-molecular structure analysis.

The move follows the award of $18 M to Cornell earlier this year from the National Science Foundation to start development of the energy-recovery LINAC. e2v klystrons, chosen on the basis of their high signal gain and high output power, will provide the microwave energy used to accelerate the beam in the injector stage of the test ERL.

Information gleaned from the prototype machine will be used in the design of a full-scale machine that will produce intense X-rays for use in applications, such as materials science and bio-molecular structure analysis. This stage of synchrotron radiation research will enable future study of these structures at an unprecedented level of detail. Nanoscale investigations of materials will also be feasible, leading to improved pharmaceutical systems and increased efficiencies in optoelectronics, amongst other technologies.