Negative Hydrogen Ion Injection into the Zero Gradient Synchrotron

In October 1976 the Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS) became the first high energy proton synchrotron to use charge exchange injection in routine operations. Conversion to H- injection has been very successful, yielding record high beam intensities within the first month of use and normal (> 90%) operating efficiencies within the second month. This report discusses briefly the history of H- at the ZGS, the hardware uniquely associated with charge exchange injection and our operational experience during the first two months of H- injection.