Abstract
A series of experiments was performed to investigate the feasibility of a liquid lithium thin film for a charge stripper in a high-power heavy ion linac. Various preliminary experiments using simulants were first conducted to determine the film formation scheme, to investigate the film stability, and to obtain the design parameters for a liquid lithium thin film system. Based on the results from these preliminary studies, a prototypical, high pressure liquid lithium system was constructed to demonstrate liquid lithium thin film formation. This system was capable of driving liquid lithium at ≲300 °C and up to 13.9 MPa (2000 psig) through a nozzle opening as large as 1 mm (40 mil) in diameter. This drive pressure corresponds to a Li velocity of >200 m/s. A thin lithium film of 9 mm in width at velocity of ∼58 m/s was produced. Its thickness was estimated to be roughly ≲13 μm. High vacuum was maintained in the area of the film. This type of liquid metal thin film may also be used in other high power beam applications such as for intense X-ray or neutron sources.