The Multiply Charged Ion Source with Indirectly Heated Cathode

A survey on questions related to the production of multiply charged ions with the hot cathode ion source is given. Some characteristics of the ion source with heated cathode are discussed. It is shown that the use of hydrogen as a ballast gas in the discharge gives some possibilities for increasing the intensity of beam of multiply charged ions. The perpendicular plasma pressure of the discharge column is measured and values of Te and n are estimated. From the axial distribution of the ion charge states, it is concluded that a potential well trapping ions should exist in the discharge column. It is shown that local inhomogenities of the magnetic field along the discharge column give rise to a substantial increase of the intensity of multiply charged ion beams.