Physics & Astronomy

A Microwave Ion Source for Continuous-Flow AMS

M. Roberts1, R. Scheider1, E. Galutschek1, K.F. von Reden1, B.X. Han1 and J. Wills2

A microwave-driven ion source has been designed to serve as the injector for a new AMS facility at NOSAMS. Samples are introduced to the ion source in a continuously flowing gas stream, thus bypassing the usual preparation steps required for a sputter target.  The source design is optimized for  efficient coupling of the positive ion beam extracted from the microwave driven plasma generator to a magnesium charge exchange canal. Test stand and on-line tests at NOSAMS of a prototype of the microwave ion source are reviewed. Details of the new design are presented.

1National Ocean Sciences AMS Facility, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA.

2Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0 Canada