Plasma Source for a Diagnostic Neutral Beam

78872 Large neutral beams for heating plasmas have played an important role in plasma diagnostics, advancing our understanding of plasma physics in the development of fusion energy. A compact diagnostic neutral beam source for small- to medium-scale experiments is needed to provide the same advanced level of diagnostics and insight into the underlying physics as for larger projects. In previous work, a radio frequencey (RF) plasma source, using an external antenna, was designed and built. Based on that work, a significantly larger RF plasma source will be developed to extract an ion current appropriate for a diagnostic neutral beam. In Phase I, a proof-of-principle experiment will be conducted to estimate the size and RF power requirements for the neutral beam source. A conceptual design of the source and accelerator column will be made, based on initial tests and simulations. Power supply and vacuum system specifications and design also will be conducted. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should find a market among the many groups in the U.S. and other countries that use neutral beams for diagnostics. For commercial applications, an RF plasma source would have application to plasma processing.