Volume production of negative hydrogen and deuterium ions in a reflex-type ion source

The extraction of negative and positive hydrogen and deuterium ions from a reflex-type negative ion source has been investigated. Extracted positive and negative ion currents were measured as functions of the gas flow rate, the axial magnetic field, and the bias potential of the cylindrical wall of the arc-chamber. By biasing the cylindrical wall several volts negative relative to the anode, a maximum H- current of 9.7 mA (J-approx.=100 mA/cm2) and D- current of 4.1 mA(J-approx.=42 mA/cm2) were obtained in steady state operation. This result shows a factor of two improvement over previous data. The total impurity negative ion content was less than 1%. When the source was arranged for positive ion extraction, a high proton ratio (90%) was observed. The extracted negative ion current was approximately as large as the positive ion current. (orig.)