Method and source for producing a high concentration of positively charged molecular hydrogen or deuterium ions
One principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for generating a high concentration of H/sub 2//sup +/ or D/sub 2//sup +/ ions by using a new and improved multicusp ion source. The basic principle in achieving a high percentage of H/sub 2//sup +/ or D/sub 2//sup +/ ions is to extract them from the source as soon as they are produced. Otherwise they will react with background gas molecules to form tri-atomic ions H/sub 3//sup +/ or D/sub 3//sup +/ or be dissociated by electrons. The former reaction H/sub 2//sup +/ + H/sub 2/ ..-->.. H/sub 3//sup +/ + H can have a very short mean free path length lambda. Assuming a background neutral gas density of approximately 3.3 x 10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/ and a cross-section sigma of approximately 6 x 10/sup -15/ cm/sup 2/, lambda = (n/sub 0/ sigma)/sup -1/ is estimated to be about 5 cm. Thus the distance traversed by the H/sub 2//sup +/ ion before it arrives at the extractor electrode cannot exceed this value. This in turn sets a limit on the length of the source chamber.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- None
- Application Number:
- ON: DE84011030
- OSTI ID:
- 6959168
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CUSPED GEOMETRIES
DEUTERIUM IONS
DISTRIBUTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN IONS
HYDROGEN IONS 2 PLUS
ION SOURCES
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MOLECULAR IONS
OPEN CONFIGURATIONS
PATENTS