SODIUM ION PRODUCTION IN A SIMPLE MICROWAVE DISCHARGE ION SOURCE.

Abstract

Microwave discharge ion sources have commonly been used to produce ions from gases. In this paper we report the extension of such a source to the production of ions from a non-gaseous material without the complication of a magnetic field. The source is simple in design and easily constructed. Discharges which were initiated in argon produce Na** plus ions from both sodium iodide and pure sodium. The absolute and relative rates of production of Na** plus ions were found to vary greatly with the discharge pressure and incident microwave power.