Ion source for Van De Graaff generator

An r-f ion source has been constructed for the V.P.I. electrostatic generator. The ion source has been in operation for approximately one thousand hours with an average beam current of one micro-ampere. This beam has been sufficient to test and calibrate the accelerator.

Experiments which require beam currents in the order of 100 micro-ampere can now be conducted with the ion source operating at its designed capacity.