Abstract
NEGATIVE ion sources are now being used extensively in nuclear research. The demands from these sources are more rigorous than for their positive ion counter-part, and lives are around 100 h for hydrogen, much less for oxygen. Experiments in which the filament of the ion source has been replaced by a mercury cathode (Fig. 1) have given much larger currents (up to 700-amp pulse) and lives. With hydrogen beams, after 600 h operation the source showed only slight wear on the electrodes and indicated an indefinitely long life, while tests with oxygen and with sulphur beams, each for 300 h, indicated no difficulties. These tests were under conditions which gave magnetically analysed ion beams of H−, 15 µamp; of O−, 15 µamp; and of S−, 8µamp;
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DAWTON, R. A Negative Ion Source using a Mercury Pool Cathode. Nature 195, 1190 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/1951190a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1951190a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.