He jishu (Mar 2023)
Design of a high current ion source for an electromagnetic isotope separator
Abstract
BackgroundStable isotopes play a crucial role in a variety of fields such as energy, military, semiconductor, agriculture, medicine, pharmacology, biology, food industry, and chemistry. With the rapid growth of nuclear science and technology applications in China, there has been an increasing demand for isotopes that cannot be met by current production capacities. Thus, the development of electromagnetic isotope separators capable of producing high yields and high isotopic purity has become necessary.PurposeThis study aims to develop an electromagnetic isotope separator based on a 2.45 GHz microwave ion source and isotopic magnet for studying a number of important heavy isotopes, such as xenon and molybdenum isotopes.MethodsFirstly, adjustable axial magnetic field in the source was designed by a double-solenoids to obtain high density plasma, and a high coupling efficiency matching waveguide was optimized by CST microwave computing module. Then. a crucible built in the discharge chamber was used to melt metal oxide for generating heavy metal ion beams. Finally, the discharge chamber, microwave coupling waveguides and heating oven of the ion source were simulated and designed for the generation of heavy ions.ResultsSimulation result shows that the temperature around the crucible is 917 ℃ when the current of heating wire is set to 70 A, and 100 mA hydrogen beam is generated during commissioning. The designed crucible in the discharge chamber can generate metal vapor efficiently for ionization, and achieve producing 20 emA Xe+ and 5 emA Mo+ respectively at the energy of 40 keV.ConclusionsThe feasible scheme of the magnetic field and microwave coupling design of this study are verified. The design of the 2.45 GHz electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source provides a feasible and effective solution for the high yields isotope ions.
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