Enhancement of H− extraction from a compact source by streaming neutral gas injection

Abstract

A new negative ion extraction geometry with streaming neutral gas injector (SNGI) was tested in its performance to enhance negative hydrogen ion (H−) at low operational pressure. The experiments were performed using a test ion source equipped with a SNGI having the wall perpendicular to the gas emission holes. The results showed that the SNGI was capable of reducing the operating pressure of the ion source from 0.14to0.07Pa. At 0.14Pa, the operation using the SNGI produced 20% more negative ions than the operation without SNGI. A compact ion source was constructed with a smaller SNGI and having a tapered wall for the gas injection nozzles. The neutral density distribution within the central region of the SNGI within the ion source was simulated using direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. It was realized that the neutral density distribution produced by the SNGI with the tapered wall was at most 35% lower than a SNGI structure without the taper.