High current proton beams production at Simple Mirror Ion Source 37.

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Ion Beam Generation
• Fusion Energy Research

Background:

• The Institute of Applied Physics (IAP RAS) operates the Simple Mirror Ion Source (SMIS) 37 facility.
• ECR (Electron Cyclotron Resonance) heating is utilized for plasma generation and electron heating.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the latest experimental results on high current proton beam production at SMIS 37.
• To evaluate the performance of a single-aperture two-electrode extraction system for proton beams.

Main Methods:

• Plasma generation and electron heating using 37.5 GHz gyrotron radiation (up to 100 kW).
• Operation within a simple mirror trap under ECR conditions.
• Utilizing a single-aperture two-electrode extraction system for beam extraction.

Main Results:

• Proton beams with currents up to 450 mA were achieved at voltages below 45 kV.
• Maximum beam current density reached 600 mA/cm(2).

Conclusions:

• The SMIS 37 facility has successfully produced high current proton beams.
• Further improvements in proton beam characteristics are possible with advanced extraction system designs.