High Performance 18 GHz ECR Ion Sources Development

Abstract

At present, ECR ion sources are developing towards higher frequency, higher magnetic field technology. However, 18 GHz is the highest optimal operation microwave frequency for room temperature ECR ion sources, which can meet the needs of most of the existing heavy ion facilities. After the success of the 18 GHz ECR ion source LECR4, we developed the upgraded version source LECR5 aiming for higher beam intensity and higher charge state ions. With a higher radial field, bigger plasma chamber volume, longer mirror length, and flexible Bmm field, promising results have been made at the power level of ∼2.1 kW@18 GHz, for instance, 81 eμA Bi32+, and 22 eμA Bi41+. This ion source has been recently used for the heavy ion facility SESRI (Space Environment Simulation Research Infrastructure) as the pre-injector ion source. High beam intensities and reasonable beam qualities have been demonstrated during the test platform. Inspired by this outcome, a hybrid 18 GHz ion source called HECRAL has been proposed aiming for the similar performance of SECRAL at 18 GHz. This paper will present the recent update of the LECR5 ion source commissioning. The design and preliminary results of the HECRAL ion source will be described.