The Brookhaven National Laboratory electron beam ion source for RHIC

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Accelerator Technology
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• A new heavy ion preinjector is under construction for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory.
• An electron beam ion source (EBIS) is a critical component for generating ion beams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the design and construction of a new EBIS.
• To produce milliampere currents of all ion species with q/m ratios from 1/6 to 1/2.
• To meet the stringent vacuum requirements for ion confinement and extraction.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a superconducting solenoid (5 T, 2 m length, 204 mm bore).
• Integration of a 10 A electron gun and a 300 kW electron collector.
• Implementation of a high-vacuum system (10^-10 Torr) with differential pumping, bakeable trap (400 C), and non-evaporable getter strips.
• Utilizing fast switchable power supplies for 16 electrodes and a pulsed platform (up to 100 kV) for ion extraction.

Main Results:

• The EBIS is fully assembled and undergoing final tests.
• The design specifications target milliampere currents for various ion species.
• Key components including the solenoid, electron gun, collector, and vacuum system have been successfully integrated.

Conclusions:

• The new EBIS represents a significant advancement in ion source technology.
• Successful operation is anticipated following final vacuum and power supply validation.
• This EBIS will enhance capabilities for heavy ion research and space radiation simulation.