Low Beta Accelerating System for Heavy Ions

To investigate the performance that can be achieved for low energy heavy ion particle acceleration, a two megahertz low beta linac is being built. This structure, intended for acceleration of 260 keV xenon or 400 keV mercury, is comprised of a quarter wavelength parallel plate resonator used to support drift tubes forming a ß¿/2 structure. The 20 gap accelerator, to be driven by a 30 kilowatt transmitter, will provide 10 milliamperes of mercury ions at the 1.8 MeV energy level. Focussing is achieved by a unique arrangement of electrostatic quadrupoles. A plan view of the accelerating system is shown in Figure 1.