Some Characteristics of a Duoplasmatron Ion Source

Abstract

A Duoplasmatron ion source capable of producing about 10 mA of hydrogen ion beam has been constructed and tested. The effect of a resistance which connects the intermediate electrode and the anode has been studied. The ratio of the anode current to the total arc current is strongly influenced by the value of the resistance. It is shown that the intermediate electrode of the Duoplasmatron ion source plays the same role as a grid of the electron tube or an ignitor of the mercury rectifier. Changing the resistance periodically a high intensity pulsed ion beam has been obtained from the Duoplasmatron ion source.