U.S. Particle Accelerator School
Ion Sources and Low-Energy Ion Beams course
Sponsoring University:
Michigan State University
Course:
Ion Sources and Low-Energy Ion Beams
Instructors:
Martin P. Stockli and Baoxi Han, Oak Ridge National Lab
Purpose and Audience
This course is intended as an introduction to the field of ion sources and low-energy ion beams and is suitable for senior undergraduate students or students from other fields with a particular interest in the physics and technology of ion sources and low-energy ion beams. The course is also appropriate for engineers and technicians working in accelerator-related fields who wish to broaden their level of understanding.
Prerequisites
Either previous coursework or a general understanding of classical physics and electromagnetism.
Objectives
This course will focus on the principles of ion generation, ion beam formation, and the transport of low-energy ions, which is highly interdisciplinary. Accordingly, it will include an introduction to vacuum, high voltage, electrical safety, and beam diagnostics including emittance measurements. We will use the computer lab to explore different ways to analyze emittances.
Instructional Method
This course is based on a series of lectures, with two afternoons spent in the computer lab. Sets of problems covering certain topics will be assigned and have to be completed outside of scheduled class time. Problem sets will be graded, and feedback will be provided by the instructors in a timely fashion.
Course Content
The lectures will begin with low-pressure electrical discharges and the move to ion sources for positive ions, negative ions, and highly-charged ions. This will be followed by lectures on ion beam formation, ion beam transport elements, and ion beam diagnostics. Lectures on emittance measurements and analysis will be followed by practical emittance analysis in the computer lab. The basic concepts of vacuum and high voltage will be introduced, and amended by lectures on safety regarding ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and electrical hazards. The course will close out with a lecture on ion beam chopping.
Reading Requirements
(to be provided by the USPAS) "Ion Sources” by Huashun Zhang, Science Press-Springer, 1999. Additional handouts with supplementary material will be provided by the course instructors.
Credit Requirements
Students will be evaluated based on performance: homework assignments (70 % of final grade) computer/lab sessions (30 % of final grade)