Development of high current and high brightness negative hydrogen ion sources

Abstract

Negative hydrogen ions have found important applications in particle accelerators and in fusion research. These ions can be generated from two different types of ion sources — the surface conversion source and the volume production source. Recent experiments demonstrate that H − current exceeding 1 A can be obtained from both types of ion sources. Because of the lower H − ion temperature and the fact that they can be operated without cesium, volume H − sources are highly desired. However, further technology must be developed on the control of electrons and the reduction of gas flow before this type of sources becomes practical units of a multiampere neutral beam injection system.