Improved Four-Stage Accel-Decel Production of Low Energy Highly Stripped Heavy Ions

The two model MP Tandem Van de Graaff accelerators at Brookhaven have been used in a four-stage acceldecel configuration to produce highly stripped low energy heavy ions. The performance in this mode of operation has now been substantially improved by modifications of the second accelerator. The inclined field acceleration tube electrodes at the exit of this accelerator were replaced by straight electrodes, the vacuum was improved and the maximum negative terminal potential was increased. Higher intensity beams of heavier highly stripped ions can now be produced at lower energies than before.