Development of the BOLVAPS lithium vapor source for the PBFA-II accelerator

Abstract

A pulsed, large area, Li vapor source for use in the PBFA-II ion beam diode is described. BOLVAPS (boil-off lithium vapor source) produces a 1–2 mm thick layer of Li vapor with a density approaching 1×1017 cm−3 by rapid ohmic heating of a thin-film laminate, one layer of which contains Li. The principal design issues of the vapor source being built for use on the PBFA-II accelerator are described. Results of small-scale development experiments are summarized.