Optimization of Ion Beam Elements Using Mathematical Transport Formalism

In the study we report the features and ideal stable operating conditions of the ion source and the accelerator’s beam behavior of a nuclear microprobe at a laboratory for accelerator-based science (LABS) laboratory, i.e., iThemba LABS, South Africa. Since the aim is to improve the reliability and stability of ion beams used as a probe, we optimize the beam characteristics along the Van de Graaff accelerator from the ion source through the accelerator. Higher-order aberrations and non-ideal magnetic field profiles can induce complexities in beam deformation that are frequently missed by conventional first-order linear approximations. Moreover, the complicated nature and time commitment of trial-and-error methods make experimental adjustment alone inadequate. To accurately model and optimize the transport and focus characteristics of the ion beam, including effects from non-linear field components, dispersion, and alignment errors, a thorough mathematical framework is therefore required, backed by simulation tools such as TRANSPORT, TOSCA, and IGUN.