Effect of metal-hydride hydrogen activation on longitudinal yield of negative ions from PIG

•Metal-hydride hydrogen activation is shown to impact on PIG emission properties.•It is shown the possibility of creating PIG-type hydrogen negative ion source with longitudinal extraction.•Obtained current of negative hydrogen ions is determined mainly by the rate of hydrogen desorption.

We present the results of the study of activated hydrogen, desorbed from a metal hydride cathode, effect on a PIG ability to emit negative hydrogen ions H− in the longitudinal direction. It becomes possible due to a change in the discharge properties with the further output of negatively charged particles together with positive ions along the magnetic field. The separation of negative ions from an extracted flow of charged particles was carried out by an electromagnetic filter. The efficiency of the filter was investigated and the optimal external parameters for H− ions separation were determined. The beam current of H− ions has been obtained at the level of 5 mkA at an average discharge current 2 mA and a discharge voltage 5 kV.