New Criterion for Shape Optimization of Normal-Conducting Accelerator Cells for High-Gradient Applications

When optimizing the shape of high-gradient accelerating cells, the goal has traditionally been to minimize the peak surface electric field / gradient, or more recently minimizing the peak modified Poynting vector / gradient squared. This paper presents a method for directly comparing these quan- tities, as well as the power flow per circumference / gradient squared. The method works by comparing the maximum tolerable gradient at a fixed pulse length and breakdown rate that can be expected from the different constraints. The paper also presents a set of 120° phase-advance cells for traveling wave structures, which were designed for the new CLIC main linac accelerating structure, and which are optimized according to these criteria.