A second-generation ion beam buncher and cooler

A radiofrequency quadrupole (RFQ) ion accumulator and buncher has been designed for the low-energy beam and ion-trap (LEBIT) facility which is being set up at the NSCL/MSU. The LEBIT buncher will be a cryogenic system. Compared to room-temperature systems an improved beam quality and overall efficiency are expected. It will feature a novel electrode structure with a drastically reduced number of electrodes for simplified operation. Its design is presented and Monte-Carlo type ion-trajectory calculations are discussed which predict excellent beam quality and high performance. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.