Acceleration of 100 keV protons using a 5SDH-2 Pelletron

The authors successfully accelerated a 100 keV proton beam using a model 5SDH-2 Pelletron accelerator, manufactured by National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC). A pseudo-stable 1–2 nA beam was delivered on target with a net energy variation of less than 6%. However, the small terminal potential made it impossible to use standard stabilization techniques. Minor adjustments in terminal potential were required every 15 min to maintain beam current and energy. This level of stability is sufficient to deliver a proton fluence of 1011–1012 cm−2 to any desired target.