Metal additive manufacturing for particle accelerator applications

Metal additive manufacturing technologies are rapidly becoming an integral part of the advanced
technological portfolio for the most demanding industrial applications. These processes are capable of
fabricating three-dimensional components with near-net shape quality by depositing the constituent
materials in a layer-by-layer fashion. This fabrication approach provides numerous advantages over
conventional manufacturing methods, including enhanced design flexibility, reduced production costs and
lead times, rapid prototyping, and the possibility to repair damaged parts. In recent years, the growing
demand for novel accelerator components with improved performance characteristics, integrating
structures such as drift tubes and internal cooling channels, has prompted the exploration of additive
manufacturing in the field of particle accelerators. Radio-frequency components, beam intercepting
devices, and vacuum systems have been prototyped using various metallic materials and additive
manufacturing technologies, demonstrating performance levels comparable to the conventionally manu-
factured counterparts in preliminary tests. However, the absence of established qualification protocols and
the uncertain reliability of additively manufactured parts under the demanding conditions typical of
accelerator applications pose significant challenges to the integration of additive manufacturing processes
into the fabrication practices of these components. This paper provides a comprehensive review of
documented applications of metal additive manufacturing in particle accelerators, highlighting benefits,
challenges, and opportunities for future improvements. The main requirements and currently available test
setups for the assessment of additively manufactured components in applications involving ultrahigh
vacuum and intense electromagnetic fields are also discussed.