Advanced H-/D- Surface Plasma Source with Helicon Discharge Plasma Generator

For the past several years, government laboratories and industrial companies in many countries around the world have had ongoing research programs to develop negative ion sources with upgraded intensity, emittance, and lifetime. However, their research has not resulted in a source that can deliver the desired parameters. This project will develop an advanced Surface Plasma Negative Ion Source with Helicon Discharge, which will provide continuous high-duty-factor hydrogen and deuterium negative-ion beams with increased efficiency. This new ion source will combine the best features of existing ion sources, for example, an optimized configuration to increase average beam current and source lifetime. Phase I will determine the optimum source configuration, addressing such features as hyperthermal atom generation, plasma electrode extraction optics, and conditions for minimizing such destruction factors as sputtering and erosion of electrodes. The critical source parameters that affect beam quality and source lifetime will be determined. In addition, the anticipated performance characteristics and manufacturing cost of systems for research and industrial purposes will be identified. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: The new negative ion source should find use in gernetating beams of high energy photons and neutrons that can be used in Active Cargo Interrogation Systems to detect the presence of Special Nuclear Material and high explosives. Other applications include production of epithermal neutrons for medical cancer therapy, and basic physics research on high energy proton storage rings and spallation neutron souces