A high current, high brightness, 10 pulsor per second (pps) ion source is a key component of a heavy ion fusion accelerator. This project will use a high purity pulsed inductive, gas-breakdown plasma source to generate a plasma with a high directed velocity. The source is positioned a large distance from the accelerator, resulting in separation of neutral gas from the accelerator and collimation of the ions entering the accelerator. In Phase I, an experimental argon pulsed inductive plasma source will be fabricated and used to conduct initial research with available drivers and plasma diagnostics. Modifications to the plasma source will be made to obtain ion source parameters consistent with the requirements for standard accelerating structures, as determined from a preliminary injector stage design. Ultimately, Phase I will determine whether the pulsed inductive plasma source can produce desired ion source characteristics for a heavy ion fusion induction linac. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: Commercial applications of pulsed inductive plasma sources include plasma and ion beam processing and plasma propulsion schemes. Ion sources should also have applications to other fusion power approaches, including high flux neutral beams and plasmoids for injection into magnetically confined plasmas and field reversed ion rings.
