Development of ECR ion sources in China (invited)

Abstract

Recent development of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources in China is reviewed. Emphasis is put on high charge state ECR ion sources which have been mainly developed in China by Institute of Modern Physics (IMP). Presently two ECR ion sources built by IMP for highly charged ion beams are put into operation for cyclotrons and atomic physics research. The development of high charge state ECR ion sources at IMP has progressed with a new magnetic field configuration, better condition for extraction of highly charged ions, high mirror magnetic field, large plasma volume, and special techniques to provide extra cold electrons. These techniques greatly enhance the production of highly charged ions from IMP ECR ion sources. So far more than 185 eμA of Ar11+ and 50 eμA of Xe26+ were produced by the IMP ECR ion sources. The metallic ion beam production was tested and the first beam Ca11+40 was provided to the cyclotrons at IMP. The beam intensity of Ca11+40 could reach 130 eμA. The next part of this article will report the latest progress of 2.45 GHz ECR ion sources in China. A 2.45 GHz compact permanent magnet proton ion source was designed and constructed by IMP. A new microwave feeding system is applied on this ion source. The ion source is able to deliver 90 mA of mixed ion beam (H1++H2++H3+) after preliminary commissioning. The article also mentions a small 2.45 GHz ECR ion source which was built by Sichuan University and used for industry applications. The dependence of plasma density and electron temperature on radio frequency power, neutral gas pressure, and different microwave windows was measured by a Langmuir probe on this ion source.