Generation of high intensive and high power metalions by vacuum arc TAMEK sources

This paper presents a review of vacuum arc facilities to be as injectors for metal ion accelerators. A vacuum arc in different modes: 1). Arc current Iarc=2−50 A, pulse duration tp=10 µs to 20 ms; 2). Iarc=20−100 A, tp=50–1000 µs; 3). Iarc=100−2000 A, tp=100−2000 µs; 4). Iarc=10−100 kA, tp=1−10 µs were investigated as metal ion injectors. The metal flows generated by cathode spots are expanded for diameters of 10–50 cm, and then, or deposited on the grounded target, or post accelerated between grids at Uaccel=10−120 kV. On the basis of such injectors the series of TAMEK sources were investigated with metal ion current from Ii> 0.01 A, pulse duration up to 20 ms, up to Ii<5 kA, tp=1−5 µs.