Development of RCNP polarized 3He ion source based on electron pumping

We constructed a new polarized 3He ion source in order to establish a method of principle of “electron pumping” and experimentally prove its validity. Electron pumping utilizes multiple electron capture and stripping collisions of 3He+ with rubidium atoms whose vapor thickness is much thicker than that used in an ordinary optical pumping polarized ion source. Special care was paid in the design of a rubidium vapor cell, a pumping laser and a beam transport system. We present details of the device and report the present status of the development.