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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Novel methods for improvement of a Penning ion source for neutron generator applications

Penning ion source performance for neutron generator applications is characterized by the atomic ion fraction and beam current density, providing two paths by which source performance can be improved for increased neutron yields. We have fabricated a Penning ion source to investigate novel methods for improving source performance, including optimization of wall materials and electrode geometry, advanced magnetic confinement, and integration of field emitter arrays for electron injection. Effects of several electrode geometries on discharge characteristics and extracted ion current were studied. Additional magnetic confinement resulted in a factor of two increase in beam current density. First results indicate unchanged proton fraction and increased beam current density due to electron injection from carbon nanofiber arrays.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

The mechanical design and simulation of a scaled H{sup −} Penning ion source

The existing ISIS Penning H{sup −} source is unable to produce the beam parameters required for the front end test stand and so a new, high duty factor, high brightness scaled source is being developed. This paper details first the development of an electrically biased aperture plate for the existing ISIS source and second, the design, simulation, and development of a prototype scaled source.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

Corpuscular Diagnosis of the Plasma of Penning Ion Sources

The results of the studies of the energy distribution and atomic-molecular composition of the ions emitted from two Penning ion sources are presented. The transitions between different discharge modes, when the operating pressure and voltage on the anode are changed, are investigated. The energy spectra and mass-charge spectra are measured and the dependences of the fraction of atomic ions on the discharge parameters are determined.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Study of Compact Penning Ion Source for Material Studies

Development of ion sources of various sizes has been carried out since a long back. Gaseous ions of different nature are being used in different field of research as well as industrial applications like surface modification, doping, surface etching, sputtering, production of nano size particles and focused ion beam etc. Out of various geometry and operation regime, due to compactness, ruggedness and long life, penning type ion sources are widely used in different field of research and applications. One such type of ion source was developed in our laboratory. Though this source was meant for neutron generation, using deuterium ions, the effectiveness for other purposes was investigated. The discharge characteristic was studied for different gases like, Deuterium, Helium, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Argon. The source being a self extracted type; the extracted ion current from the extraction aperture was measured using one faraday cup. In this paper we have discussed, the discharge characteristic and the extraction ion current for different type of gases.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Characterization of a cold cathode Penning ion source for the implantation of noble gases beneath 2D monolayers on metals: Ions and neutrals

Argon ion kinetic energy spectra at different discharge voltages (between 480 and 600 V) of a commercial cold cathode ion source IQP10/63 are reported. The high kinetic energy cut-off depends on the discharge voltage and the corresponding plasma potential due to excess positive charges which is found to be about 136 V. Exposure of single layer hexagonal boron nitride on rhodium to the beam of the ion source leads to the formation of nanotents, i.e., stable atomic protrusions. A positive bias voltage is applied to the target sample to block the positive ions produced by the ion source. However, application of a positive bias potential (800 eV), which is higher than the kinetic energy cut-off, still allows the formation of nanotents and its observation with scanning tunneling microscopy. This indicates that the ion source also produces neutral atoms with kinetic energies higher than the penetration threshold across a single layer of hexagonal boron nitride.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Advanced penning ion source

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for ion generation. In one aspect, an apparatus includes an anode, a first cathode, a second cathode, and a plurality of cusp magnets. The anode has a first open end and a second open end. The first cathode is associated with the first open end of the anode. The second cathode is associated with the second open end of the anode. The anode, the first cathode, and the second cathode define a chamber. The second cathode has an open region configured for the passage of ions from the chamber. Each cusp magnet of the plurality of cusp magnets is disposed along a length of the anode.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Electrical shielding box measurement of the negative hydrogen beam from Penning ion gauge ion source

The cold-cathode Penning ion gauge (PIG) type ion source has been used for generation of negative hydrogen (H{sup -}) ions as the internal ion source of a compact cyclotron. A novel method called electrical shielding box dc beam measurement is described in this paper, and the beam intensity was measured under dc extraction inside an electrical shielding box. The results of the trajectory simulation and dc H{sup -} beam extraction measurement were presented. The effect of gas flow rate, magnetic field strength, arc current, and extraction voltage were also discussed. In conclusion, the dc H{sup -} beam current of about 4 mA from the PIG ion source with the puller voltage of 40 kV and arc current of 1.31 A was extrapolated from the measurement at low extraction dc voltages.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Status of ion sources at National Institute of Radiological Sciences

The National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) maintains various ion accelerators in order to study the effects of radiation of the human body and medical uses of radiation. Two electrostatic tandem accelerators and three cyclotrons delivered by commercial companies have offered various life science tools; these include proton-induced x-ray emission analysis (PIXE), micro beam irradiation, neutron exposure, and radioisotope tracers and probes. A duoplasmatron, a multicusp ion source, a penning ion source (PIG), and an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) are in operation for these purposes. The Heavy-Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) is an accelerator complex for heavy-ion radiotherapy, fully developed by NIRS. HIMAC is utilized not only for daily treatment with the carbon beam but also for fundamental experiments. Several ECRISs and a PIG at HIMAC satisfy various research and clinical requirements.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Recent developments of ion sources for life-science studies at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (invited)

With about 1000-h of relativistic high-energy ion beams provided by Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba, about 70 users are performing various biology experiments every year. A rich variety of ion species from hydrogen to xenon ions with a dose rate of several Gy/min is available. Carbon, iron, silicon, helium, neon, argon, hydrogen, and oxygen ions were utilized between 2012 and 2014. Presently, three electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRISs) and one Penning ion source are available. Especially, the two frequency heating techniques have improved the performance of an 18 GHz ECRIS. The results have satisfied most requirements for life-science studies. In addition, this improved performance has realized a feasible solution for similar biology experiments with a hospital-specified accelerator complex.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Matching an H{sup –} beam into a radio frequency quadrupole at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

A major component of work being carried out to upgrade the ISIS spallation neutron source at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) is the Front End Test Stand (FETS). FETS is aimed at improving the luminosity of the linac, and consists of a Penning ion source, Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT), Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ), and Medium Energy Beam Transport (MEBT). It may serve as a first part of the accelerator chain providing a 60 mA, 3 MeV H{sup –} beam up to a 10% duty cycle. The current output of the source and the transmission of the LEBT are reasonable, but there are issues with the alignment to provide a centred beam matched into the acceptance of the RFQ. Improvements have been made to the post acceleration to address this problem. Measurements with a collimated beam have been performed to understand the behaviour of the solenoids and steerer magnets. Comparing these results with simulations proved that, besides possible mechanical imperfections of the ion source and post acceleration assembly, agreement can only be achieved if the magnetic fields are distorted.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Study of Fluctuations in the CW Penning Surface-Plasma Source of Negative Ions

Study of current fluctuations for cw Penning SPS with hollow cathode drive was done. The noiseproof measurements of negative ion beam current, current in extracted electrode circuit, discharge current and voltage were carried out by the low-inductive probes in wide frequency range. Spectrum and intensity of fluctuations at various operation modes, parameters and electrode geometry were recorded for two versions of cw Penning SPS. H{sup -} beam current and the extracted electrode circuit current had the level of ripples higher, than the ripples in discharge current and voltage signals. Frequency spectrum of beam and discharge fluctuations displayed stable peaks. The main peak had location in the range 0.1 divide 1.5 MHz and FWHM of about 0.1 MHz. For the basic operational mode the main peak in frequency spectrum was in the range 0.3-0.4 MHz. The fluctuations of current in extracted electrode circuit and in accelerated electrode circuit had the similar structure and correlated with beam current fluctuations. The obtained data show that plasma density oscillations are responsible for the beam current fluctuations. The 0.1 divide 1.5 MHz fluctuations of plasma density could be produced by oscillations of cathode emissivity and of discharge current distribution between the specific cathode regions.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Detailed beam and plasma measurements on the vessel for extraction and source plasma analyses (VESPA) Penning H{sup −} ion source

A vessel for extraction and source plasma analyses (VESPA) is operational at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL). This project supports and guides the overall ion source R&D effort for the ISIS spallation neutron and muon facility at RAL. The VESPA produces 100 mA of pulsed H{sup −} beam, but perveance scans indicate that the source is production-limited at extraction voltages above 12 kV unless the arc current is increased. A high resolution optical monochromator is used to measure plasma properties using argon as a diagnostic gas. The atomic hydrogen temperature increases linearly with arc current, up to 2.8 eV for 50 A; whereas the electron temperature has a slight linear decrease toward 2.2 eV. The gas density is 10{sup 21} m{sup −3}, whilst the electron density is two orders of magnitude lower. Densities follow square root relationships with arc current, with gas density decreasing whilst electron (and hence ion) density increases. Stopping and range of ions in matter calculations prove that operating a high current arc with an argon admixture is extremely difficult because cathode-coated cesium is heavily sputtered by argon.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Resonant structure of low-energy H{sub 3}{sup +} dissociative recombination

High-resolution dissociative recombination rate coefficients of rotationally cool and hot H{sub 3}{sup +} in the vibrational ground state have been measured with a 22-pole trap setup and a Penning ion source, respectively, at the ion storage-ring TSR. The experimental results are compared with theoretical calculations to explore the dependence of the rate coefficient on ion temperature and to study the contributions of different symmetries to probe the rich predicted resonance spectrum. The kinetic energy release was investigated by fragment imaging to derive internal temperatures of the stored parent ions under differing experimental conditions. A systematic experimental assessment of heating effects is performed which, together with a survey of other recent storage-ring data, suggests that the present rotationally cool rate-coefficient measurement was performed at 380{sub -130}{sup +50} K and that this is the lowest rotational temperature so far realized in storage-ring rate-coefficient measurements on H{sub 3}{sup +}. This partially supports the theoretical suggestion that temperatures higher than assumed in earlier experiments are the main cause for the large gap between the experimental and the theoretical rate coefficients. For the rotationally hot rate-coefficient measurement a temperature of below 3250 K is derived. From these higher-temperature results it is found that increasing the rotational ion temperature in the calculations cannot fully close the gap between the theoretical and the experimental rate coefficients.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Ion Beam Collimation For Improved Resolution In Associated Particle Imaging

Beam spot size on target for a Penning ion source has been measured under different source operating pressures as a function of the extraction channel length and beam energy. A beam halo/core structure was observed for ion extraction at low extraction voltages, and was greatly reduced at higher beam energy. Collimation through use of longer extraction channels results in reduced ion current on target; the resultant reduction in neutron yield for an API system driven by such an ion source can be compensated for by use of even higher beam energies.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

H{sup -} beam transport experiments in a solenoid low energy beam transport

The Front End Test Stand (FETS) is located at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and aims for a high current, fast chopped 3 MeV H{sup -} ion beam suitable for future high power proton accelerators like ISIS upgrade. The main components of the front end are the Penning ion source, a low energy beam transport line, an radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) and a medium energy beam transport (MEBT) providing also a chopper section and rebuncher. FETS is in the stage of commissioning its low energy beam transport (LEBT) line consisting of three solenoids. The LEBT has to transport an H{sup -} high current beam (up to 60 mA) at 65 keV. This is the injection energy of the beam into the RFQ. The main diagnostics are slit-slit emittance scanners for each transversal plane. For optimizing the matching to the RFQ, experiments have been performed with a variety of solenoid settings to better understand the actual beam transport. Occasionally, source parameters such as extractor slit width and beam energy were varied as well. The paper also discusses simulations based on these measurements.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Operating modes of a hydrogen ion source based on a hollow-cathode pulsed Penning discharge

An ion source based on a hollow-cathode Penning discharge was switched to a high-current pulsed mode (tens of amperes and tens of microseconds) to produce an intense hydrogen ion beam. With molecular hydrogen (H{sub 2}), the ion beam contained three species: H{sup +}, H{sub 2}{sup +}, and H{sub 3}{sup +}. For all experimental conditions, the fraction of H{sub 2}{sup +} ions in the beam was about 10 ÷ 15% of the total ion beam current and varied little with ion source parameters. At the same time, the ratio of H{sup +} and H{sub 3}{sup +} depended strongly on the discharge current, particularly on its distribution in the gap between the hollow and planar cathodes. Increasing the discharge current increased the H{sup +} fraction in ion beam. The maximum fraction of H{sup +} reached 80% of the total ion beam current. Forced redistribution of the discharge current in the cathode gap for increasing the hollow cathode current could greatly increase the H{sub 3}{sup +} fraction in the beam. At optimum parameters, the fraction of H{sub 3}{sup +} ions reached 60% of the total ion beam current.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Multicharged ion source based on Penning-type discharge with electron cyclotron resonance heating by millimeter waves

We suggest a Penning-type discharge as a trigger discharge for fast development of pulsed electron cyclotron resonance plasma. The Penning-type discharge glows at a low pressure as needed. Gyrotron radiation (75 GHz, 200 kW, 1 ms) was used for plasma heating. Fully striped helium ions were demonstrated, average charge of ions in the plasma was {approx_equal} 2. Experiment and calculations show that high charge states of heavier gases require lower initial pressure and longer development time. Only moderate charge states are achievable in this pulsed scheme.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Design and characterization of Ion sources for CHIP-TRAP

At Central Michigan University, we are developing a high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometer (CHIP-TRAP) for precise mass measurements with stable and long-lived isotopes. Ions will be produced using external ion sources and then transported to the Penning trap at low energy using electrostatic ion optics. Ion sources that will be utilized with CHIP-TRAP include a laser ablation ion source (LAS) that has already been commissioned, and a low current Penning ion trap (PIT) source that is currently being developed. The LAS enables ion production from solid targets via ablation and ionization with a high-powered laser pulse. The PIT source is a novel Penning ionization gauge (PIG) type source, consisting of a 0.55 T NdFeB ring magnet, cylindrical Penning trap, and low current thermal electron emitter that enables ion production via electron impact ionization of gaseous samples. For both ion sources, small bunches of ~100 – 1000 ions can be produced from a minimal sample of source material. Finally, the ion bunches are then transported along the CHIP-TRAP beamline, where time-of-flight mass filtering can be performed before they are captured in the CHIP-TRAP Penning traps.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗