Simulation and optimization of a miniaturized ion source for a neutron tube

A miniaturized Penning ion source, capable of generating a milliampere H^{+} beam with low anode power supply and low gas consumption, was produced and tested for neutron tubes. For a better understanding and optimization of the Penning ion source, magnetic field, beam extraction system, and plasma...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ailin Zhang, Dong Li, Lechen Xu, Zijian Xiong, Junyi Zhang, Haiping Peng, Qing Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2022-10-01
Series:Physical Review Accelerators and Beams
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevAccelBeams.25.103501
Description
Summary:A miniaturized Penning ion source, capable of generating a milliampere H^{+} beam with low anode power supply and low gas consumption, was produced and tested for neutron tubes. For a better understanding and optimization of the Penning ion source, magnetic field, beam extraction system, and plasma simulations were conducted to research the optimization of the Penning ion source. The distance between the two cathodes is optimized based on the plasma simulations. Based on the optimization of the magnetic field, extraction system, and the distance of the cathodes, the extraction current of the Penning source had been increased from 1.21 to 1.72 mA, and the H^{+} ratio had been increased from 36% to 42.3%.
ISSN:2469-9888