Influence of the magnetic filter field topology on the beam divergence at the ELISE test facility

TL;DR

This study investigates how different magnetic filter field topologies, including permanent magnets, affect beam divergence and electron suppression in the ELISE negative ion source, with implications for optimizing beam quality.

Contribution

It introduces new magnetic filter configurations using permanent magnets and analyzes their impact on beam divergence and electron suppression at the ELISE facility.

Findings

Broader beam component increases with stronger magnetic fields.

Permanent magnets effectively suppress co-extracted electrons.

Magnetic topology influences beam particle trajectories.

Abstract

The ELISE test facility hosts a RF negative ion source, equipped with an extraction system which should deliver half the current foreseen for the ITER Neutral Beam Injector, keeping the ratio of co-extracted electrons to ions below 1. An important tool for the suppression of the co-extracted electrons is the magnetic filter field, produced by a current flowing in the plasma grid, the first grid of the 3 stage extraction system. To boost the source performances new concepts for the production of the magnetic filter field have been tested, combining the existing system with permanent magnets attached on the source walls. The topologies of these new magnetic configurations influence the beam particles trajectories in the extraction region, with consequences for the overall beam optics. These effects will be characterized in this article by studying the angular distribution of the beam particles, as measured by the Beam Emission Spectroscopy (BES) diagnostic. The behavior of the beam will be studied also through the measurements of the currents flowing on the grounded grid (the third grid) and on the grid holder box surrounding its exit. The main finding is that the broader component of the beam increases when the magnetic field is strengthened by permanent magnets, i.e. in the cases in which most of the co-extracted electrons are suppressed.