Description of the M1 MEQALAC and operating results

MEQALAC stands for Multiple Electrostatic Quadrupole Array Linear Accelerator. The first model, M1, was designed, built, and tested in a three month period from July to October 1979. Within a week of operation a Xenon output current of 85% of the calculated space-charge limit was obtained. In the following sections, the M1 components and operation are described. Some of the design choices were made to allow hand-fabrication with available tools (principally a table-top lathe and a table-top drill press), while others were influenced by the ion source development at hand. The major goal was to demonstrate the MEQALAC principle of accelerating multiple beams through arrays of strong focussing electrostatic quadrupoles. Xenon was used since it demonstrates the principles of a low beta linac as needed for the Heavy Ion Fusion program, without the complications of a heavy-metal ion source