A dc Penning Surface-Plasma Source

After developing a pulsed-8X source for H{sup {minus}} beams, we are now testing a cooled, dc version. The design dc power density on the cathode surface is 900 W/cm{sup 2}, much higher than achieved in any previously-reported Penning surface-plasma source (SPS). The source is designed to accommodate dc arc power levels up to 30 kW by cooling the electrode surfaces with pressurized, hot water. After striking the arc using a 600-V pulser, a 350-V dc power supply is switched in to sustain the 100-V discharge. Now our tests are concentrating on arc pulse lengths {le}1 s. Ultimately, the discharge will be operated dc. The source is described and the initial arc test results are presented.