High current metal ion beam injection experiments

High-current beams of metal ions have been efficiently transported through the injector beam line of the UNILAC heavy ion linear accelerator. Using a MEVVA (metal-vapor vacuum arc) high-current metal ion source, a beam current of 20 mA of titanium (all charge states, Q=1, 2, and 3) was accelerated to an energy of 280 Q keV through a single-gap accelerating structure, and a current of over 5 mA of Ti²⁺ was measured at the Wideroe entrance some 13 downstream. The source configuration used and the results of the injection experiments are described. It is concluded that the MEVVA titanium ion beam is well coupled to the Wideroe, with a Ti²⁺ current intensity (pulsed beam current) greater than that obtained using conventional sources by an order of magnitude