DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-POWER NEGATIVE-ION SOURCES FOR FUSION-RESEARCH AT JAERI

Recent progress regarding high power negative-ion source development for fusion research at JAERI is described. Using the cesium-seeded volume production-type negative-ion sources with an electrostatic acceleration system, a stable production of multiampere negative hydrogen/deuterium ion beams and a high energy acceleration of negative hydrogen ions of 0.2 A up to 350 keV have been demonstrated. On the basis of this recent progress, the construction of a 500 keV, 22 A, deuterium negative-ion source for a neutral beam injection system for the JT-60 tokamak was initiated. Additionally, a 1 MeV, 1 A Cockcroft-Walton-type test facility has been prepared in order to demonstrate high current negative ion acceleration up to 1 MeV. Through these research and development activities, the high power negative-ion source technology sufficient for the realization of a neutral beam injection system for a fusion experimental reactor such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is in the planning stages.