Characteristics of a hollow cathode ion-source

Characteristics of a hollow cathode ion-source in the energy range of 0-5 keV and with comparatively a lower ion-beam output, useful in radioactive isotope separation are presented. Variations of Ne+ and Ne++ ion beam as a function of arc voltage and gas flow rate are measured for a fixed accelerating voltage. The extracted ion-beam shows the behaviour of a space-charge limited current. The output ion current is compared with the value predicted by the model of plasma formation introduced by Sidenius and applicable to the present type of ion-source. (author)