A 100 keV operation of a large vacuum‐immersed H⁻ ion source

A large vacuum‐immersed H⁻ ion source has been operated on the negative‐ion‐based neutral beam teststand. The achieved level of the beam and the pulse duration in beam conditioning were limited by a high‐voltage breakdown in the vacuum vessel. A baffle plate at grounded potential for shielding completely from the charged particles was successful. A beam with an energy of up to 102 keV and the H⁻ ion current of 0.55 A were achieved for 0.29 s without the breakdown. The ion current of ∼1.5 A was accelerated in cesium‐seeded operation. The corresponding ion current density was ∼7 mA/cm². A magnetic filter (as Type I LV magnetic filter) on the plasma electrode was applied. The electron beam component which was extracted from the plasma source together with H⁻ ions was found to be very reduced.