Contribution to the study of the production of multiply charged rare gas ions

An ion source is described which is confined magnetically with axial extraction. The parameters of the source can be measured directly and are independant of one another. The intensity of the ionizing electron beam can vary from 2 to 50 mA and the energy of the fast electrons is between 500 and 4000 eV. The pressure in the source can be controlled and measured to within 2.10-6-3.10-3 torr. The effects of the parameters of the source on the production of multicharged ions of the rare gases have been investigated. The charges are found to be 6 for neon, 7 for argon and 10 for krypton and xenon. The intensity of the ion current for the highest ionic charges are above 10-12A. These ions are produced by a single electronic impact. The reduced ionization cross-sections are in good agreement with previous data. (Auth.)