Plasma grid shape and size effects on the extraction of negative ions

By means of a self-consistent three-dimensional particle model of the source-extraction transition region of a surface-produced negative ion source, the characteristics of negative ion transport have been revealed. It is purely electrostatic and collision-induced (charge exchange with atoms) and magnetic-induced (gyration around filter field) transport contributions play no relevant role for the H- transport. In fact, the key point is the penetration of the EG field inside the source, which helps removing negative ions produced on the surface. This study suggests that the best PG shape is characterized such to allow the extraction EG field from attaching the surface from where H- are produced and that the best aperture size is directly related to this particular shape.