High Current Ion Source for Heavy Ion Fusion

40268 November 6, 1996 Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation Induction linear accelerators that produce energetic heavy ion beams are a prime candidate for power-producing fusion reactors. This project will develop and demonstrate a high vacuum arc ion source that can reliably deliver high current, low emittance beams of heavy (A=100-238) ions with charge states 1+ to 3+, pulse widths from 1 to 20 ¿s, and at repetition rates ~10 Hz. The challenge for Phase I is to find innovative ways to preserve the good properties of existing vacuum arc ion sources when extrapolated into the new regime required for heavy ion fusion. Existing sources offer low emittance with >100 ¿s pulse widths at modest currents. The Phase I effort is aimed at increasing the current while preserving the low emittance in short (1-20 ¿s) pulses. The Phase II effort will validate the source at repetition rates relevant for heavy ion fusion and demonstrate source lifetime and reliability. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: The vacuum arc ion source should find several commercial applications including heavy ion fusion, surface and materials characterization, heavy ion synchrotron injection and isotope separation.