Beam Space Charge Research Articles

Low emittance growth in a low energy beam transport line with un-neutralized section

In a low energy beam transport line (LEBT), the emittance growth due to the beam's space charge is typically suppressed by way of neutralization from either electrons or ions, which originate from ionization of the background gas. In cases where the beam is chopped, the neutralization pattern usually changes throughout the beginning of the pulse, causing the Twiss parameters to differ significantly from their steady state values, which, in turn, may result in beam losses downstream. For a modest beam perveance, there is an alternative solution, in which the beam is kept un-neutralized in the portion of the LEBT that contains the chopper. The emittance can be nearly preserved if the transition to the un-neutralized section occurs where the beam exhibits low transverse tails. This report introduces the rationale for the proposed scheme and formulates the physical arguments for it as well as its limitations. An experimental realization of the scheme was carried out at Fermilab's PIP2IT where low beam emittance dilution was demonstrated for a 5 mA, 30 keV ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam.

Estimation of Beam and Plasma Parameters for Electron Beam Transport in Ion-Focused Regime

This paper presents the analysis of cylindrical electron beam and beam-impact-generated plasma using particle-in-cell simulation code VSim 6.2 at different operating conditions. The transient plasma parameters, such as, beam density, charge neutralization factor, space charge potential, ionization time, beam compression, and plasma electron temperature, have been estimated and analyzed for a 40-keV, 10–100-A electron beam propagating in argon gas-filled drift space at different operating pressures. These parameters are difficult to be measured experimentally. The evaluated charge-neutralizing factor has been found dynamic in space and time, which is maximum at the beam envelope. The voltage profile of space charge potential required for effective electron beam propagation approaches zero due to formation of the plasma in the order of ionization time. The estimated average plasma electron temperature has been found to be less than ~1 eV, which is less damaging for interaction structure of the plasma-assisted microwave sources. It has been observed that an optimum pressure limit needs to be maintained inside the drift space to prevent the loss of electron beam due to instabilities resulting in excessive collisions with the drift space walls.

Focusing and bunching of ion beam in axial injection channel of IPHC cyclotron TR24

The CYRCe cyclotron (CYclotron pour la ReCherche et l’Enseignement) is used at IPHC (Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien) for the production of radio-isotopes for diagnostics, medical treatments and fundamental research in radiobiology. The TR24 cyclotron produced and commercialized by ACSI (Canada) delivers a 16-25 MeV proton beam with intensity from few nA up to 500 μA. The solenoidal focusing instead of existing quadrupole one is proposed in this report. The changing of the focusing elements will give the better beam matching with the acceptance of the spiral inflector of the cyclotron. The parameters of the focusing solenoid are found. Additionally, the main parameters of the bunching system are evaluated in the presence of the beam space charge. This system consists of the buncher installed in the axial injection beam line of the cyclotron. The using of the grid-less multi harmonic buncher may increase the accelerated beam current and will give the opportunity to new proton beam applications.

Irradiation of materials with short, intense ion pulses at NDCX-II

AbstractWe present an overview of the performance of the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment-II (NDCX-II) accelerator at Berkeley Lab, and report on recent target experiments on beam-driven melting and transmission ion energy loss measurements with nanosecond and millimeter-scale ion beam pulses and thin tin foils. Bunches with around 1011 ions, 1 mm radius, and 2–30 ns full width at half maximum duration have been created with corresponding fluences in the range of 0.1–0.7 J/cm2. To achieve these short pulse durations and mm-scale focal spot radii, the 1.1 MeV [megaelectronvolt (106 eV)] He+ ion beam is neutralized in a drift compression section, which removes the space charge defocusing effect during final compression and focusing. The beam space charge and drift compression techniques resemble necessary beam conditions and manipulations in heavy ion inertial fusion accelerators. Quantitative comparison of detailed particle-in-cell simulations with the experiment plays an important role in optimizing accelerator performance.

Ion Compensation for Space Charge in the Helical Electron Beams of Gyrotrons

We solve analytically the problem about ion compensation for the space charge of a helical electron beam in a gyrotron operated in the long-pulse regime. Elementary processes, which take place during ionization of residual gas in the tube under typical pressures of 10−6–10−7 mm Hg, are considered. It is shown that distribution of the space charge is affected mainly by the electrons of the initial beam and slow-moving ions produced by ionization of the residual gas. Steady-state density of ions in the operating space of the gyrotron after the end of the transitional processes is found, as well as the electron density profile in the channel of electron beam transportation. The results obtained allow us to evaluate the pitch-factor variations caused by partial compensations for the potential “sagging” in the gyrotron cavity, thus being useful for analysis of starting currents, efficiency, and mode competition in high-power gyrotrons.

Preliminary Measurement of Space Charge Neutralization Level for Proton Beam

For high-intensity low-energy ion beams, space charge effect is a main cause of beam divergence and emittance growth. Fortunately, residual gas molecules in the drift space tend to be ionized and neutralize the beam space charge spontaneously. The level of Space Charge Neutralization (SCN) is measured through the detection of created secondary ion energy distribution in the beam region. A so-called non-interceptive Three-grid Energy Analyzer (TEA) has been designed and manufactured at Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMP). This paper will present the details of the TEA detector and the application to diagnose proton beam SCN level in the Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) line. As a preliminary result, for an 18.5 mA proton beam a best compensating point appears at the vacuum pressure of 1.510*3 Pa. And the neutralization level is advanced with the growth of beam current in a constant vacuum pressure.

Investigation of ion beam space charge compensation with a 4-grid analyzer.

Experiments to investigate the space charge compensation of pulsed high-current heavy ion beams are performed at the GSI ion source text benches with a 4-grid analyzer provided by CEA/Saclay. The technical design of the 4-grid analyzer is revised to verify its functionality for measurements at pulsed high-current heavy ion beams. The experimental investigation of space charge compensation processes is needed to increase the performance and quality of current and future accelerator facilities. Measurements are performed directly downstream a triode extraction system mounted to a multi-cusp ion source at a high-current test bench as well as downstream the post-acceleration system of the high-current test injector (HOSTI) with ion energies up to 120 keV/u for helium and argon. At HOSTI, a cold or hot reflex discharge ion source is used to change the conditions for the measurements. The measurements were performed with helium, argon, and xenon and are presented. Results from measurements with single aperture extraction systems are shown.

Beam transport and space charge compensation strategies (invited).

The transport of intense ion beams is affected by the collective behavior of this kind of multi-particle and multi-species system. The space charge expressed by the generalized perveance dominates the dynamical process of thermalisation, which leads to emittance growth. To prevent changes of intrinsic beam properties and to reduce the intensity dependent focusing forces, space charge compensation seems to be an adequate solution. In the case of positively charged ion beams, electrons produced by residual gas ionization and secondary electrons provide the space charge compensation. The influence of the compensation particles on the beam transport and the local degree of space charge compensation is given by different beam properties as well as the ion beam optics. Especially for highly charged ion beams, space charge compensation in combination with poor vacuum conditions leads to recombination processes and therefore increased beam losses. Strategies for providing a compensation-electron reservoir at very low residual gas pressures will be discussed.

Space-Charge Structural Instabilities and Resonances in High-Intensity Beams.

The existence of a structural resonance stop band caused by space charge in high-current beams, where the resonance frequency is associated with 90° phase advance per focusing period, is well known and alternatively referred to in the literature as envelope instability or as fourth-order resonance. We show, however, that this stop band is actually a coincidence of a structural fourth-order resonance and the much stronger envelope instability as competing mechanisms--depending on the time scale and initial matching. A similar complexity of behavior--dependent on the distribution function--is also found between a third-order instability and a sixth-order resonance in a 60° stop band. We claim that these findings are a generic property of high-intensity beams in periodic focusing; they also allow a reinterpretation of the 90° linear accelerator stop band previously observed experimentally at the UNILAC accelerator.

Simulation of space charge compensation in a multibeamlet negative ion beam.

Ion beam space charge compensation occurs by cumulating in the beam potential well charges having opposite polarity, usually generated by collisional processes. In this paper we investigate the case of a H(-) ion beam drift, in a bi-dimensional approximation of the NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization phase 1) negative ion source. H(-) beam ion transport and plasma formation are studied via particle-in-cell simulations. Differential cross sections are sampled to determine the velocity distribution of secondary particles generated by ionization of the residual gas (electrons and slow H2 (+) ions) or by stripping of the beam ions (electrons, H, and H(+)). The simulations include three beamlets of a horizontal section, so that multibeamlet space charge and secondary particle diffusion between separate generation regions are considered, and include a repeller grid biased at various potentials. Results show that after the beam space charge is effectively screened by the secondary plasma in about 3 μs (in agreement with theoretical expectations), a plasma grows across the beamlets with a characteristic time three times longer, and a slight overcompensation of the electric potential is verified as expected in the case of negative ions.

A space charge compensation model for positive DC ion beams

In this paper, we revisit and extend a formula to predict the compensation of space charge in positive DC ion beams of non-relativistic energy, as they are for example found in the injector beam lines of heavy ion accelerator facilities.The original formula was presented in 1975 by Igor Gabovich et al. and takes into account the de-compensation through Coulomb collisions of the primary beam ions and the compensating electrons. We extend its usability to arbitrary (positive) charge states of the ions and non-quasineutral beams.The resulting formula compares well with measurements using a retarding field analyzer and a multi-species generalization of it was incorporated into beam transport simulations using the particle-in-cell code WARP.

An exact solution of the space charge problem for the motion of a spherically symmetric beam in a homogeneous electric field

We obtain an exact solution of the space charge problem for a uniformly charged ball moving in an exterior constant homogeneous electric field. The results obtained can be used as tests in the numerical simulation of the effect of a space charge of actual beams and for estimating the accuracy of the numerical methods used in the solution of the space charge problem.

Negative ion beam space charge compensation by residual gas

The space charge of intense unbunched ion beams can be compensated by the ions created when the beam ionizes the residual gas, which creates a source of secondary particles inside the beam pipe. For negative ion beams, the effect of the beam electric field is to expel the electrons to the beam pipe walls, while the positive ions are trapped and start to be accumulated. In this paper, we report on experiments to study this space charge compensation (SCC) in a 45 keV ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ unbunched beam in the CERN Linac4 low-energy beam transport. Beam size and emittance were measured for different gases injected into the beam region to control the degree and speed of the SCC. These results are compared with beam simulations that include the generation and tracking of secondary ions leading to a unique understanding of the transport of the ion beam in some specific cases.

Relativistic electron motion in cylindrical waveguide with strong guiding magnetic field and high power microwave

In O-type high power microwave (HPM) devices, the annular relativistic electron beam is constrained by a strong guiding magnetic field and propagates through an interaction region to generate HPM. Some papers believe that the E × B drift of electrons may lead to beam breakup. This paper simplifies the interaction region with a smooth cylindrical waveguide to research the radial motion of electrons under conditions of strong guiding magnetic field and TM01 mode HPM. The single-particle trajectory shows that the radial electron motion presents the characteristic of radial guiding-center drift carrying cyclotron motion. The radial guiding-center drift is spatially periodic and is dominated by the polarization drift, not the E × B drift. Furthermore, the self fields of the beam space charge can provide a radial force which may pull electrons outward to some extent but will not affect the radial polarization drift. Despite the radial drift, the strong guiding magnetic field limits the drift amplitude to a small value and prevents beam breakup from happening due to this cause.

Effect of ion compensation of the beam space charge on gyrotron operation

In gyrotrons, the coherent radiation of electromagnetic waves takes place when the cyclotron resonance condition between the wave frequency and the electron cyclotron frequency or its harmonic holds. The voltage depression caused by the beam space charge field changes the relativistic cyclotron frequency and, hence, can play an important role in the beam-wave interaction process. In long pulse and continuous-wave regimes, the beam space charge field can be partially compensated by the ions, which appear due to the beam impact ionization of neutral molecules of residual gases in the interaction space. In the present paper, the role of this ion compensation of the beam space charge on the interaction efficiency is analyzed. We also analyze the effect of the electron velocity spread on the limiting currents and discuss some effects restricting the ion-to-beam electron density ratio in the saturation stage. It is shown that the effect of the ion compensation on the voltage depression caused by the beam space charge field can cause significant changes in the efficiency of gyrotron operation and, in some cases, even result in the break of oscillations.

Computer Simulation of Gas-filled Neutron Tube Ion-optic System

Computer simulation of gas-filled neutron tube has been fulfilled. Fully relativistic electromagnetic particle-in-cell finite difference, time-domain cod SUMA [1,2] has been used to investigate ion-optic system, the ionization and knock on processes and their influence on the deuteron beam and the output neutron flow parameters. When deuteron and ionized particles space charge self-field forces become the same order of magnitude as external one, virtual cathode may occurs. It happens because the injected from ion source deuterons cannot overcome their own space charge potential wall and move in transverse direction. However, electrons, produced by ionization, are trapped within the deuteron beam space charge potential wall and decrease it significantly. Thus, space charge neutralization of deuteron beams by electrons, may considerably increase target current and, as a result, output neutron flow. Moreover, own longitudinal electric field rise near the target leads to reduction of accelerating electrode target potential wall, which was made to prevent knock on emission from the target. As a result, additional knocked on electrons may appear in the region and should be taken into account. The data obtained were compared with experimental results.

Compensating tune spread induced by space charge in bunched beams

Space charge effects play significant role in modern-day accelerators. These effects frequently constrain attainable beam parameters in an accelerator - or - in an accelerator chain. They also could limit the luminosity of hadron colliders operating either at low energies or with a sub-TeV high brightness hadron beams. A number of schemes for compensating space charge effects in a coasting (e.g. continuous) hadron beam were proposed and some of them had been tested. But all of these methods do not address the issue of tune spread compensation of a bunched hadron beam, e.g. the tune shift dependence on the longitudinal position inside the bunch. In this paper we propose and evaluate a novel idea of using a co-propagating electron bunch with miss-matched longitudinal velocity to compensate the space charge induced tune-shift and tune spread. We present a number of practical examples of such system.

Coincident ion acceleration and electron extraction for space propulsion using the self-bias formed on a set of RF biased grids bounding a plasma source

We propose an alternative method to accelerate ions in classical gridded ion thrusters and ion sources such that co-extracted electrons from the source may provide beam space charge neutralization. In this way there is no need for an additional electron neutralizer. The method consists of applying RF voltage to a two-grid acceleration system via a blocking capacitor. Due to the unequal effective area of the two grids in contact with the plasma, a dc self-bias is formed, rectifying the applied RF voltage. As a result, ions are continuously accelerated within the grid system while electrons are emitted in brief instants within the RF period when the RF space charge sheath collapses. This paper presents the first experimental results and a proof-of-principle. Experiments are carried out using the Neptune thruster prototype which is a gridded Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) source operated at 4 MHz, attached to a larger beam propagation chamber. The RF power supply is used both for the ICP discharge (plasma generation) and powering the acceleration grids via a capacitor for ion acceleration and electron extraction without any dc power supplies. The ion and electron energies, particle flux and densities are measured using retarding field energy analyzers (RFEA), Langmuir probes and a large beam target. The system operates in Argon and N2. The dc self-bias is found to be generated within the gridded extraction system in all the range of operating conditions. Broad quasi-neutral ion-electron beams are measured in the downstream chamber with energies up to 400 eV. The beams from the RF acceleration method are compared with classical dc acceleration with an additional external electron neutralizer. It is found that the two acceleration techniques provide similar performance, but the ion energy distribution function from RF acceleration is broader, while the floating potential of the beam is lower than for the dc accelerated beam.

Design of an ionization profile monitor for the SNS accumulator ring

An ionization profile monitor (IPM) has been designed for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) accumulator ring with the goal of simplifying current IPM technology to provide accurate high-intensity beam profiles. Utilizing ionized electrons produced by beam-gas ionization, the SNS IPM uses a 120kV bias potential and uniquely designed electrode to overcome beam space charge and accelerate electrons towards a movable particle detector. A 300G magnetic field will be used to confine the transverse electron motion, resulting in profile errors at the 7% level. With a system bandwidth of 17.5MHz, the SNS IPM will be capable of measuring turn-by-turn beam profiles for a fully accumulated beam. This paper presents a description of the system and design.

Case studies in space charge and plasma acceleration of charged beams

Plasma acceleration with electron or proton driver beams is a challenging opportunity for high-energy physics. An energy doubling experiment with electron drivers was successfully performed at SLAC and a key experiment AWAKE with proton drivers is on schedule at CERN. Simulations play an important role in choosing the best experimental conditions and in interpreting the results. The Vlasov equation is the theoretical tool to describe the interaction of a driver particle beam or a driver laser pulse with a plasma. Collective effects, such as tune shift and mismatch instabilities, appear in high intensity standard accelerators and are described by the Poisson–Vlasov equation. In the paper, we review the Vlasov equation in the electrostatic and fully electromagnetic cases. The general framework of variational principles is used to derive the equation, the local form of the balance equations and related conservation laws. In the electrostatic case, we remind the analytic Kapchinskij–Vladimirskij (K–V) model and we propose an extension of the adiabatic theory for Hamiltonian systems, which ensures stability for perturbation of size ϵ on times of order 1/ϵ. The variational framework is used to derive the Maxwell–Vlasov equations and related conservation laws and to briefly sketch the particle-in-cell (PIC) approximation schemes. Finally, the proton-driven acceleration is examined in the linear and quasi-linear regime. A PIC simulation with the code ALaDyn developed at Bologna University is presented to illustrate the longitudinal and transverse fields evolution which allow a witness electron bunch to be accelerated with a gradient of a few GeV/m. We also present some remarks on future perspectives.