Direct 1+ --> N+ conversion of stable alkali ions using an electron cyclotron resonance ion source

The production of radioactive ions using the Isotope Separation On-Line method gives rise, in most cases, to singly charged ions. In order to perform experiments with postaccelerated radioactive ion beams, these ions have to be multicharged. We describe here a new compact design for a charge breeder that will be coupled to the production target of SPIRAL1 at GANIL. We present recent results obtained offline with stable alkali ions (Na, K, Rb, and Cs) on the SIRa test bench. Particularly, 1(+) to N(+) conversion efficiencies and conversion times are presented. Several points have been identified for the improvements of the present performances.