Abstract
The main features of ECR ion sources (high efficiency, almost unlimited lifetime, stable running conditions, low ion energy spread) make them, when optimized for a high yield at charge state 1+, ideally suited for on-line mass separation. For this reason a single stage 6.4 GHz test source was built for the Paul Scherrer Institute medical radioisotope production facility. Source geometry and operation conditions were optimized for the mass separation of xenon isotopes. Different support gases were tested and an ionization efficiency of 60% for Xe+ was achieved with H2 as support gas. The best results were found at a source pressure of 5×10−4 mbar and at a microwave power level of about 100 W. At an axial magnetic field of about 3 kG the mirror ratio showed no strong effect on the general performance of the source. Our tests showed the advantages of the ECR source type for the mass separation of gaseous isotopes in terms of efficiency and reliability.
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