Discharge characteristics of a plasma generator for SITEX [Surface Ionization with Transverse Extraction] and VITEX [Volume Ionization with Transverse Extraction] ion sources

Surface Ionization with Transverse Extraction (SITEX) and Volume Ionization with Transverse Extraction (VITEX) ion sources are being developed to produce intense beams of light negative ions for neutral particle beam applications. The salient feature of these ion sources is their ability to form intense negative-ion beams. With the objective of improving the performance of these sources, an experimental study of their plasma properties has been conducted. The effects of various electrodes in the plasma generator were investigated. Low electron and ion temperatures (below 1 eV) and positive plasma potential up to +6 V have been measured. The measured distributions of plasma density and potential reveal the existence of multichamber characteristics in the source plasma. The significant discharge characteristics and the plasma properties associated with the performance of SITEX and VITEX ion sources are discussed