The TTU Penning Ion Source

Abstract

Ion sources are required for a variety of lab experiments we use in our modern world. Machines performing micro manufacturing, mass spectroscopy(measuring how much of what atoms you have in a sample) and particle science all require an ion source to begin their work. These sources can be created by a variety of means such as high temperature, chemical, electric, photo-voltaic and other methods. Different applications demand specific ion currents and energies which gives rise to the many methods of ion generation. Concerns of manufacturing cost, design time, and operation costs are heavily investigated for each ion source designed and our case is no different. This paper will describe the design process of the ion source to be developed for the TTU ion beam laboratory.