Advanced heavy ion/rare isotope accelerators present very different challenges compared to traditional electron and proton machines. The range of particle velocities that must be accepted for a wide variety of accelerated ions implies a robust system various accelerating cavity types. The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) project requires such a system and research and development of new techniques and technologies to address these issues in a timely and practical manner have been undertaken at Michigan State University. While the low-energy section of the FRIB linear accelerator uses more established superconducting Quarter-Wave Resonators (QWRs), the decision was made to pursue two different types of superconducting Half-Wave Resonators (HWRs) for the high-energy accelerating section of FRIB. In this document, we begin with a brief overview of the FRIB project and its use of HWRs followed by the theory of superconducting accelerator cavities that can be applied in this context. We then present details of the process of electromagnetic and mechanical HWR design, including the theory and practice of electromagnetic and mechanical simulations. Additionally, the fabrication procedures and testing results of a prototype HWR will be presented, as well as a short discussion of the future of HWR and simulation technology.
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