High power DC and ns-pulsed 2 MV accelerator for light ions

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics and Engineering
• Accelerator Technology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Existing accelerator technologies often face limitations in beam current and pulsing capabilities for light ions.
• Tandem accelerators, while versatile, can be less efficient in charge per bunch compared to optimized single-ended systems.
• The demand for high-current, precisely controlled ion beams is growing across various scientific and industrial fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel 2 MV single-ended accelerator (Singletron™) for light ion applications.
• To achieve high direct-current (DC) beam currents and nanosecond-pulsing capabilities.
• To enhance the charge per bunch for improved efficiency in ion beam delivery.

Main Methods:

• Design and construction of a 2 MV single-ended accelerator featuring an all-solid-state power supply.
• Integration of a 2.45 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion source and a computer-controlled chopping-bunching system.
• Testing of proton and helium beams in both DC and pulsed modes across a range of terminal voltages and pulse repetition rates.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated smooth operation with 2 mA proton and helium beams at 0.5–2.0 MV terminal voltages.
• Achieved nanosecond pulses (2.0 ns FWHM) with peak currents of ~10 mA (protons) and ~5.0 mA (helium).
• Verified an 8x increase in charge per bunch compared to typical tandem accelerator systems.

Conclusions:

• The Singletron™ accelerator successfully meets the requirements for high-current, pulsed light ion beams.
• Its performance characteristics are suitable for demanding applications in nuclear astrophysics, boron neutron capture therapy, and semiconductor implantation.
• The system represents a significant advancement in single-ended accelerator technology, offering enhanced efficiency and control.