Improved ECR Charge Breeder for Rare Ion Species

75935S Conventional electron-cyclotron resonance (ECR) charge breeders, used to create beams of rare ion species as part of the DOE Nuclear Physics program, have gravitated towards higher frequencies and smaller plasma chambers. However, the smaller plasma chambers exacerbate the problems of plasma interactions with the walls and complicate the injection of rare ion species. Increasing the physical dimensions of the plasma chamber should improve the performance. This project seeks to accomplish this goal by developing a charge breeder based on lower frequency operation. Lower frequencies require lower magnetic fields, provide additional volume for larger plasma chambers, and improve the acceptance phase space for injected rare ion species. Phase I created a solid model of a charge breeder using a modular design, which facilitates the easy replacement and/or substitution of major subsystems and components. The device also can be used as a test bed for further development. In Phase II, the cyberspace design of the charge breeder will be converted into hardware. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Improvements in the efficiency of converting rare and short-lived radioactive ion species into ion beams for further acceleration is crucial to the future of the Nuclear Physics Research program.