Speaker
Description
Nb₃Sn is a promising alternative to bulk niobium for superconducting radio-frequency cavities, offering efficient operation near 4 K with performance comparable to conventional niobium cavities operated at 2 K. At Jefferson Lab, single-cell cavity coating experiments were conducted using the tin vapor diffusion technique while varying key process parameters, including the temperature profile, tin-source configuration, and coating setup. The coated Nb cavities and associated witness samples were evaluated through RF testing and materials characterization. The results are used to examine correlations among coating conditions, film uniformity, material properties, and cavity performance. These studies improve understanding of the coating process and support the development of more reproducible, high-performance Nb₃Sn-coated SRF cavities.