The IsoDAR high intensity H₂⁺transport and injection tests

Abstract

This technical report reviews the tests performed at the Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc. facility in regards to developing a cost effective ion source, beam line transport system, and acceleration system capable of high H + 2 current output for the IsoDAR (Isotope Decay At Rest) experiment. We begin by outlining the requirements for the IsoDAR experiment then provide overview of the Versatile Ion Source, Low Energy Beam Transport system, spiral inflector, and cyclotron. The experimental measurements are then discussed and the results are compared with a thorough set of simulation studies. Of particular importance we note that the Versatile Ion Source (VIS) proved to be a reliable ion source capable of generating a large amount of H + 2 current. The results suggest that with further upgrades, the VIS could potentially be a suitable candidate for IsoDAR. The conclusion outlines the key results from our tests and introduces the forthcoming work this technical report has motivated.

Realistic simulations of a cyclotron spiral inflector within a particle-in-cell framework

“…As mentioned before, the results of the injection tests are reported in detail in [10]. Here, we will summarize the items pertinent to a comparison to OPAL, specifically, how we obtain the particle distribution at the end of the LEBT (entrance of the cyclotron), used as initial beam in the subsequent injection simulations with the SAAMG solver.…”

“…Part of the R&D for these projects was an experiment in collaboration with Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc. (BCS) in Vancouver, Canada to test a flat-field ECR ion source, transport through the Low Energy Beam Transport System (LEBT) and finally injection into a small test cyclotron through a spiral inflector. The results of this campaign are described in much detail in [10] and the most important points will be reiterated in Section III, before OPAL simulation results are benchmarked against the experimental results.…”

The front-end of IsoDAR

“…In 2014, the IsoDAR collaboration performed a series of measurements at Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc. in Vancouver, Canada, which were outlined in [12]. One of the key conclusions of the tests was that the extracted H + 2 current from the Versatile Ion Source (VIS) [13] could be increased by decreasing the radial size of the plasma chamber and by increasing the area of the extraction aperture.…”

High current $\mathrm{H}_2^+$ beams from a filament-driven multicusp ion source

“…group in collaboration with INFN-LNS and Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc. While the performance for protons was excellent, the finding was that the maximum H + 2 fraction was limited to 50 % [13,14]. The high proton contamination was deemed undesirable for a compact system like IsoDAR.…”