Portable Linear Electrostatic Particle Accelerator

In collaboration with the University of North Georgia, we have constructed a portable linear electrostatic particle accelerator 1.1 meters in length. An Edwards EXT255-HP hybrid turbo molecular pump and Edwards D396-24-000 turbomolecular pump controller salvaged from a decommissioned mass spectrometer are being used to provide a vacuum of about 4 μtorr. We were able to successfully connect the high voltage power supply with a student developed interlock safety system to provide down to -40 kV to the target chamber. Separate power supplies were used to power the ion source, Einzel lens, and extractor. We have accelerated 20.5 keV Nitrogen ions onto a quartz glower and observed it glow. A remote control system using Raspberry Pi single board computers to control the vacuum system and the Matsusada AU-100N1 high voltage power supply over WiFi will be used. Since the target chamber operates at high voltage, we are developing a battery powered beam current integrator and data acquisition system to transmit data wirelessly to analysis computers at ground.