ABSTRACT
The multicusp ion source is relatively simple to operate. There are three main components in the source: the filaments (cathode), the chamber (anode), and the first, or plasma, electrode. The multicusp source is generally used to produce positive or negative hydrogen/deuterium ion beams for particle accelerators and for neutral beam heating of tokamak plasmas. By operating the source at higher discharge voltages, ions with multiply charged states have been generated. The multicusp source has been modified at GSI (Germany) for metallic ion beam production. The so called CHORDIS source was designed as a modular system of high-current ion sources, separating the functions of particle feed, plasma generation, and ion beam extraction. The CHORDIS source has been operated successfully to produce high currents of bismuth. Single-or multiple-aperture extraction systems with total emitting area up to 11 cm2 have been used with the CHORDIS.
