Numerical analysis of H− ion transport processes in Cs-seeded negative ion sources

Abstract

The H(-) ion transport processes are numerically simulated to understand the extraction process of surface-produced H(-) ions. The three-dimensional transport code using Monte Carlo method has been applied to calculate the H(-) ion extraction probabilities in the model geometry of the JAEA 10 ampere negative ion source. The roles of (1) filter magnetic field and (2) collisions with neutrals (H(0) atoms and H(2) molecules) on the H(-) ion extraction are systematically studied. The results show that H(-) ions are extracted mainly by the filter magnetic field under the low gas pressure condition. The simulation results of extracted H(-) ion beam intensity in the JAEA 10 ampere negative ion source without the magnetic filter tend to be smaller than the experimental results, especially under the low pressure condition. Further model improvements, e.g., modeling and implementation of the effects of the electric field near the extraction aperture, will be required to understand the extraction process of the H(-) ions under the low gas pressure condition.