US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Michael J Lavan

Thomas G Roberts

George R Edlin

Brian R Strickland

Daniel L Whitener

A negative ion source is disclosed wherein an electron beam produced in one chamber is used to sustain a discharge in another chamber whose conditions are independently adjusted for optimum production of vibrationally excited hydrogen molecules. By including a provision for an independently controlled source of low energy electrons in a region near the extraction aperture, the optimum conditions for creation of H.sup.- ions by dissociative attachment are produced. In this manner the current and brightness of a H.sup.- beam may be maximized.

Electron beam driven negative ion source

A non-coherent photoneutralizer that has a fluorescent light source for neutralizing a negative ion beam as it is passed through a housing in which the fluorescent light source is mounted.

Growing community of inventors

Huntsville, AL, United States of America

Michael J Lavan