A Comparison of Electrostatic and Magnetic Focusing of Mixed Species Heavy Ion Beams at NSCL/MSU

Experience at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory has shown the first focusing element after the electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS), before the beam is analyzed by a magnetic dipole, to be critical to subsequent beam transport and matching. Until 2004, both ion sources at the NSCL used a solenoid as this first focusing element. Observation of hollow beam formation led to further analysis and the decision to replace the solenoid with an electrostatic quadrupole triplet on a test basis [1]. Substantial increases in net cyclotron output were achieved, leading us to adopt electrostatic quadrupole focusing as the permanent configuration. In addition, a sextupole magnet was installed in this beam line. Motivations for these changes and results of operating experience are discussed.