Splitting of high power, cw proton beams

A simple method for splitting a high power, continuous wave (cw) proton beam in two or more branches with low losses has been developed in the framework of the EURISOL (European Isotope Separation On-Line Radioactive Ion Beam Facility) design study. The aim of the system is to deliver up to 4 MW of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam to the main radioactive ion beam production target, and up to 100 kW of proton beams to three more targets, simultaneously. A three-step method is used, which includes magnetic neutralization of a fraction of the main ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam, magnetic splitting of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}^{0}$, and stripping of ${\mathrm{H}}^{0}$ to ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$. The method allows slow raising and individual fine adjustment of the beam intensity in each branch.