Performance of the RCNP polarized ion source

A new polarized ion source was constructed at RCNP. It employs the cold (∼30 K) atomic beam technology and an electron cyclotron resonance ionizer. The source has been operational since fall in 1994 to provide polarized protons to experimental researches at 200–400 MeV. After the first operation of the source, developments have been performed to increase the long term stability of the source and to improve the beam polarization. The source works for longer than one month before cleaning the dissociator. Proton beam intensity from the source is 50–100 μA and the polarization is 70% or better after acceleration with the K400 RCNP ring cyclotron.