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We have used the 2-D PIC code, GYMNOS, to study the transient behaviors in the Heavy Ion Fusion (HIF) injectors. GYMNOS simulations accurately provide the steady state Child-Langmuir current and the beam transient behavior within a planar diode. The simulations of the LBL HIF ESAC injector experiments agree well with the experimental data and EGUN steady state results. Simulations of the nominal EHF injectors have revealed the need to design the accelerating electrodes carefully to control the ion beam current, particularly the ion loss at the end of the bunch as the extraction voltage is reduced. >

A program is underway to construct a 2 MV, 800 mA, K/sup +/ injector for heavy ion fusion. The electrostatic quadrupole injector configuration consists of a zeolite source, a diode of up to 1 MV, together with several electrostatic quadrupole units to simultaneously focus and accelerate the beam to 2 MV. The key issues of source technology, high voltage breakdown, beam aberrations, and transient effects are discussed. Results from ongoing experiments and simulations are presented. >

Heavy ion fusion experiments require very high current beams with excellent beam quality during a short pulse. Scaled experiments planned at LBL require very short pulses (/spl mu/sec) compared to what one expects in an HIF driver (20-30 /spl mu/s). A 1 MV acceleration column composed of aperture lenses has been constructed at LBL in order to study the propagation effects on such ion pulses. The column is initially empty of space charge but with the full acceleration potential applied. A short current pulse is then injected into the column with a planar diode "current valve". Effects on the pulse propagation due to rise time, pulse duration, and beam size have been studied. Experiments on transported beam current and emittance have been conducted using a carbon arc plasma source (2" and 5" diameter) and a 1" diameter potassium alumino-silicate ion source. Computer simulations using a 2.5D time dependent code are compared with the experimental data. >