Improved ECR Charge Breeder for Rare Ion Species

75935-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 will develop an engineering design for the charge-breeder based on lower frequency operation. A three-dimensional, solid model of the apparatus will be made, and fabrication drawings will prepared based on the model. The charge breeder will be constructed in Phase II. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Improvements in the efficiency of converting sputtered ion species into beam ions for further acceleration is crucial to the Nuclear Physics Research program at the Rare Isotope Accelerator and elsewhere.