EBIT charge breeder

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In an EBIT, a high-intensity electron beam efficiently ionizes ions injected into an ion trap. NSCL has make great strides in work on the EBIT that will be critical to its reaccelerated beam capability. Detailed simulation work is complete as is 90% of the mechanical design. A 6-Tesla superconducting magnet has been ordered and in general, fabrication and installation is proceeding according to schedule. Anticipated milestones by year include:

  • 2008: electron gun and collector tests
  • 2009: completion and EBIT operation
  • 2010: rare isotope beam experiments



Below, the EBIT charge breeder and Q/A separator. The continuous ion beam from the gas stopper is accumulated in an ion trap, located inside a superconducting magnet with maximum field strength of 6 Tesla. There, the ions are charge-bred by a magnetically compressed high-current electron beam, originating at the e-gun and ending at the electron collector. The high-density electron beam, together with the magnet’s flexible field configuration allow for high acceptance of the incoming ion beam and fast charge breeding.


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Principle of an EBIT: a high-intensity electron beam efficiently ionizes ions injected into an ion trap


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The charge state evolution (as an example) of titanium ions in the presence of a 10kA/cm2 electron beam. This calculation illustrates that helium-like ions can be obtained in less than a ms. The EBIT is currently under construction and should become operational in 2009.


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Electron gun. Top: a design drawing of the assembly. Bottom: the heart of the E-gun cathode and its holder.


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Collector electrode. Left: photograph. Right: thermal simulation. This electrode absorbs the electron beam; it is designed to withstand up to 30kW thermal load.


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Acceptance plot. Represents the calculated probability for the EBIT to accept a DC beam as a function of its emittance. This example is for an electron energy of 8 keV and an electron current of 2.5 A.


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