Arc Discharge Ion Source Development at CERN ISOLDE

Within a Marie Curie Early Stage Training project at CERN, a detailed study (experimental, analytical and numerical) of the standard ISOLDE FEBIAD ion sources has been done. A new theoretical model global source behavior could be inferred, based on the acquired experimental data. The source model already served to the development of two FEBIAD prototypes which improved the I+ ionization efficiencies for the noble gases by 5 to 20 times (depending on element) This development can now serve to future ion source optimizations, for specific user or facility requirements around the world, especially for the production of high intensity radioactive beams.