RFQ accelerator development

Radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerators have established themselves as highly efficient and potential tools for delivering intense beams of the order of 100 mA or more. They are being employed as injectors to high energy machines used for basic sciences, spallation neutron sources, fusion devices and accelerator breeders. They have also made their mark as neutron generators, ion implanters, x-ray generators, etc. Realising the importance of this programme, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre initiated a totally indigenous effort to develop RFQs for the light as well as heavy ion beams. A low power RFQ for the proton and deuteron beams is already in the final phase of commissioning. (author). 30 refs., 14 figs., 2 tabs