A Review of PIG Sources for Multiply Charged Heavy Ions

A review is given of the performance and characteristics of the various types of PIG sources used for the production of multiply charged ions. They are able to produce ions with a high charge to mass ratio for the lighter elements up to about neon, but for heavier elements the ratio fallssteadily. Charge states do not exceed 8 to 10 for argon and 12 for xenon. Although the development of the multiply charged PIG source, since its original inception, has been very slight, it is still the most powerful practical design in existence atl this time. A brief description of the general characteristics and the mechanisms involved in the PIG discharge are given , including a discussion of multiply charged ion production.