Some lessons from long pulse operation of negative ion sources and accelerators

Operation of the neutral beam system of ITER for the entire ITER pulse is foreseen, with pulse lengths extending up to 1 h. Operation for such a pulse length is entirely new for neutral beam systems and the associated sub systems. This paper reviews some of the experience gained so far in the operation of the MANTIS test bed where long pulse operation of the ITER reference type of negative ion source is being studied. The three identified adverse effects of long pulse operation-reduced negative ion yield, reduced plasma grid temperature effect (see below) and increased caesium consumption-are still being studied, but some tentative explanations for each effect are given. In addition to the aforementioned effects, some operational difficulties associated with long pulses will be discussed, and some areas where caution will be needed in the future long pulse, high power operation of the ITER injectors are indicated.