AbstractsPhysics

A cold cathode proton source operating at about 300 volts and a pressure of a few microns is described. The discharge is essentially similar to that of a Philips vacuum gauge. The characteristics of the discharge, the ion extraction and the proton production have been investigated. The addition of 10% of oxygen to the hydrogen increased the proton content of the ion beam from 10% to 50% while introducing only about 1% of oxygen and other foreign ions. The ionization processes are discussed.