Modular 20 kW solid state RF amplifier for Indus-2 syncrotron radiation source

This article presents the design and development of 505.8 MHz modular solid state Radio frequency (RF) amplifier capable of delivering 20 kW continuous RF power. It has been successfully commissioned for serving as the modern RF power source in Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source. For this amplifier, design procedure has been formulated for the solid state amplifier modules, radial combiner, divider, directional coupler and overall system architecture, with specifications suited to RF source for particle accelerator. This article describes underlying design principles and indigenous development of this amplifier, consisting of 400 W amplifier modules, 5 kW 16-port radial combiner/divider and directional couplers. Detail performance characterization of amplifier on component level as well as system level serves as useful data for higher power solid state amplifier designers. Simple design, indigenous technology, high efficiency and ease of fabrication, are the main features of this design.