U.S. Particle Accelerator School
U.S. Particle Accelerator School
Education in Beam Physics and Accelerator Technology

Electrostatic Accelerators course

Sponsoring University:

The University of Texas at Austin

Course:

Electrostatic Accelerators

Instructor:

Richard Hyder, Yale University

An introduction to the design and operation of electrostatic accelerators, including discussion of high voltage technology, ion beam production, the transport of low energy ion beams, control systems for small accelerators and the applications of high voltage DC accelerators in research, in materials analysis and in material modification. The course is intended to guide designers, operators and potential users in exploiting this class of accelerators. PC-based spreadsheet and beam transport programs will be used to study the design and operating procedures of small accelerators. Consideration will be given to the versatility of electrostatic accelerators and the problems encountered in meeting different objectives. Particular topics include: (1) introduction, history and applications; (2) electrostatic design [field distributions, gaseous and solid insulators, spark protection]; (3) charging systems; (4) ion generation [positive and negative ion sources, bunching and pulsing, charge exchange]; (5) beam transport [accelerator tubes, lenses and magnets, diagnostics, matching]; (6) control systems [sensors, stabilization, beam handling, data handling, presentation and logging]; (7) accelerator mass spectrometry and ion beam analysis; and (8) radiation protection, vacuum and auxiliary systems.