The SPEAR3 RF System

SPEAR2 was upgraded in 2003, to a new 3 rd Generation Light Source (3GLS) – SPEAR3, enabling users to take better advantage of almost 100x higher brightness and flux density over its predecessor. As part of the upgrade, the SPEAR2 RF system has been revamped from its original configuration of one 200 kW klystron feeding a single 358.5 MHz, 5-cell aluminum cavity; to a 1.2 MW klystron feeding four 476.3 MHz, HOM damped copper cavities. The system installation was completed in late November 2003 and the required accelerating voltage of 3.2 MV (800 kV/cavity) was very rapidly achieved soon after. This paper details the SPEAR3 RF system configuration and its new operating requirements, highlighting its installation and subsequent successful operation.