A Broadband Transverse Kicker Prototype for Intra-Bunch Feedback in the CERN SPS

A transverse intra-bunch feedback system is currently under study at CERN for the SPS, to mitigate beam instabilities caused by electron clouds and coupled transverse modes (TMCI). This feedback system is designed for a bandwidth of 1 GHz, and based on a digital feedback controller and broadband power amplifiers. For the kicker, a periodic, quasi-TEM slotted transmission-line structure is foreseen which promises to meet the bandwidth requirements. This paper discusses the electromagnetic design and the mechanical implementation of a prototype kicker, demonstrating its performance and limitations based on numerical simulations.