Duoplasmatron source modifications for {sup 3}He{sup +} operation

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1148746· OSTI ID:610034

Schmidt, C W; Popovic, M ^[1]

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1. Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, MS 307, Batavia, Illinois 60510 (United States)

A duoplasmatron ion source is used to produce 25 mA of {sup 3}He{sup +} with a pulse width of {approximately}80ms at 360 Hz for acceleration to 10.5 MeV. At this energy, {sup 3}He striking water or carbon targets can produce short lived isotopes of {sup 11}C, {sup 13}N, {sup 15}O, and {sup 18}F for medical positron emission tomography (PET). A duoplasmatron ion source was chosen originally since it is capable of a sufficient singly charged helium beam with an acceptable gas consumption. Stable long-term operation of the source required a change in the filament material to molybdenum, and a careful understanding of the oxide filament conditioning, operation and geometry. Other improvements, particularly in the electronics, were helpful to increasing the reliability. The source has operated for many months at {approximately}2.5{percent} duty factor without significant problems and with good stability. We report here the effort that was done to make this source understandable and reliable.

• OSTI ID: 610034
• Report Number(s): CONF-980145--
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 69; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
CARBON 11
DUOPLASMATRONS
FLUORINE 18
HELIUM 3
ION SOURCES
NITROGEN 13
OPERATION
OXYGEN 15
POSITRON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
RELIABILITY
STABILITY