Main Magnetic Focus Ion Source: Theory and Experiment

A novel method for the production of highly charged ions is proposed. The ions are produced in a local potential trap formed by the crossover of an electron beam in the vicinity of the focus of a magnetic lens, where the electron current density can reach values larger than 10 kA/cm². The extraction of ions is carried out by transformation of the rippled electron beam into a smooth flow, where the local ion trap disappears. This technology is realized in room-temperature hand-size devices, which are named Main Magnetic Focus Ion Sources. The experimental measurements of X-ray spectra demonstrate the high efficiency of the novel ion source to produce highly charged ions of heavy elements of the periodic table.