Ion species control in high flux deuterium plasma beams produced by a linear plasma generator

Abstract

The ion species ratios in low energy high flux deuterium plasma beams formed in a linear plasma generator were measured by a quadrupole mass spectrometer. And the species control in the plasma generator was evaluated by changing the operational parameters like neutral pressure, arc current, and axial magnetic confinement to the plasma column. The measurements reveal that the lower pressures prefer to form more D+ ions, and the medium magnetic confinement at the higher pressures results in production of more D2+, while the stronger confinement and/or larger arc current are helpful to D2+ conversion into D3+. Therefore, the ion species can be controlled by adjusting the operational parameters of the plasma generator. With suitable adjustment, we can achieve plasma beams highly enriched with a single species of D+, D2+, or D3+, to a ratio over 80%. It has been found that the axial magnetic configuration played a significant role in the formation of D3+ within the experimental pressure range.