A method to calculate the dimensions of a constant gradient disk-loaded structure of a linear accelerator is presented. The method is based on a description of the RF power flux along the structure axis and involves a particular dispersion relation that includes details of the irisgeometry. The dimensions of the vp=c structure and of the buncher section of the CTA/IEAv linear accelerator, have been determined as an application of the above method.
The theoretical performance of the accelerating structure has been evaluated for electron pulse widths ranging from 10 ns to 2?s and for peak current up to 10 A.
