Document Type
Conference Paper
Publication Date
2026
DOI
10.1088/1757-899X/1345/1/012024
Publication Title
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Volume
1345
Pages
012024 (14 pp.)
Conference Name
International Cryogenic Materials Conference (ICMC) 2025, 18-22 May 2025, Reno, Nevada
Abstract
In support of the development of conduction-cooled superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) niobium cavities for use in continuous-wave linear accelerators, an experimental study of thermal contact resistance was performed on bolted joints using high-purity niobium, aluminium, and copper along with Apiezon N grease and indium foil as interfacial materials. The geometry of each joint investigated aims at replicating the design adopted in conduction-cooled SRF cavities currently under development at Jefferson Lab. The materials' thermal conductivity and the joints' thermal resistance were measured in the temperature range of 3.5 - 10 K. The results showed that the low thermal contact resistance of 2-4 K·cm²/W at 4.3 K achieved with Al-In-Nb and Al-Apiezon N-Cu joints should allow the operation of conduction-cooled SRF cavities at a targeted accelerating gradient of ∼10 MV/m.
Rights
© 2026 The Authors.
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the authors and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
Original Publication Citation
Lewis, J., & Ciovati, G. (2026). Development of thermal joints for conduction-cooling applications. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1345, Article 012024. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1345/1/012024
ORCID
0000-0001-9316-7704 (Ciovati)
Repository Citation
Lewis, J. and Ciovati, G., "Development of Thermal Joints for Conduction-Cooling Applications" (2026). Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications. 215.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/mae_fac_pubs/215