Reliability of measurements of ion fluxes from electron beam ion sources

The pulsed beams of highly charged ions from Electron Beam Ion Sources have certain characteristics which can easily cause incorrect ion flux measurements. This paper discusses the fundamental difficulties as well as the basic tests which can reveal and sometimes identify the problems. The discussion is illustrated with many incorrect as well as correct measurements of the instantaneous and the time-averaged currents of ion beams measured with the KSU CRYEBIS metering system. The summary recommends a number of tests which check all important problems and hence can be used to assure reliable current measurements.