An rf driven multicusp source capable of generating 1-ms H− beam pulses with a repetition rate as high as 150 Hz has been developed. This source can be operated with a filament or other types of starter. There is almost no lifetime limitation and a clean plasma can be maintained for a long period of operation. It is demonstrated that rf power as high as 25 kW could be coupled inductively to the plasma via a glass-coated copper-coil antenna. The extracted H− current density achieved is about 200 mA/cm2.
A small multicusp source has been developed to generate volume-produced H− ion beams in pulsed operation. To obtain high H− current densities (J−>250 mA/cm2), this source requires relatively high gas pressure and high discharge power. Experiments have been conducted to improve the arc and gas efficiencies, the beam pulse shape, and the H− to electron ratio in the extracted beam by optimizing the filter magnetic field, the thickness and axial position of the extraction aperture in the plasma electrode, and by mixing xenon or other elements with hydrogen in the discharge. The biggest improvement is achieved by adding cesium to the source, resulting in a fivefold increase in the extractable H− current and a substantial drop in the e/H− ratio. In order to improve the lifetime of the cathode, both filament and coaxial type LaB6 cathodes have been developed and have been operated successfully in this H− source.
High-quality H− beams have been generated from a multicusp source equipped with a permanent magnet filter. It is shown that a large improvement in H− yield can be achieved by employing a small multicusp source, fabricated with the proper wall material and extraction chamber length. From this small source, H− current densities higher than 250 mA/cm2 have been extracted from a 1-mm-diam aperture for a discharge voltage of 150 V and a discharge current of 450 A. When the source is operated with deuterium, the extractable negative ion current density is reduced by approximately 30%.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.