Miniature Electron-Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) Ion Source for Industrial Applications and Research

The problem with current electron-cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources is they are large. This large size is often incompatible with limited space availability, low power requirements, and/or light weight. These last two requirements are particularly important for accelerator systems designed for portable or transportable operation. A small, lightweight, and reliable source of singly ionized atoms could have a revolutionary impact on accelerator systems. Others have tried various approaches to reduce the size, but the minimum size of these sources has been limited by the free-space wavelength of the rf power energizing the plasma. Scientific Solutions is developing a miniature ECR ion source that is considerably smaller and more compact than those in use today. This miniECR source concept makes judicious use of dielectric materials to shrink the size of the ion source to dimensions smaller than the free-space wavelength. This small size reduces the rf power required to energize the source and enables the miniECR source to be used portable systems and in arrays of sources that could replace the large area sources used in ion implantation. A prototype miniECR source will be fabricated in Phase I of this project. Phase II involves extensive testing and qualification of the ion beam parameters with additional prototypes being fabricated and tested for specific applications. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits Commercial applications include neutron generators, portable accelerators for radiography, detection of explosives and special nuclear materials, and any ion beam application where reliability and low maintenance are essential.