Intense Polarized 3He Ion Source

This source is based on the atomic polarization of the 23S1 metastable state of the neutral atom. A version suitable for operation on the high voltage terminal of a CN Van de Graaff has been constructed, bench tested and installed in the terminal of a 7.5 MV machine. The polarization of the atomic beam is higher than 90%. It is now fully operational and a current of 3He+ of 300 nA has been measured after acceleration.