Polarized 3He Ion Source Based on the 23S1 Metastable State

Abstract

This 3He polarized ion source is based on the 23S, metastable atomic state. We produce an intense metastable beam,6 xlO1sp.sec-.sr 1, of energies between 0.07 and 0.1 eV, using a cold cathode discharge. The separation and focussing of Zeeman components (F=1 m =1) and (F=3 mF=Z) is effected with a sextupole of varliable gap. an ad?abatic RF transition enhances the nuclear polarization (theoretical)to 100%. Most design parameters of the source are now frozen for operation inside the H.V. terminal of a CN van de Graaff, but the source is of universal use in (+) ion accele-ators.