Simulation-driven optimization of heavy-ion production in ECR sources

Next-generation heavy-ion beam accelerators require a wide variety of high charge state ion beams (from protons to uranium) with up to an order of magnitude higher intensity than that demonstrated with conventional Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion sources. Optimization of the ion beam production for each element is therefore required. Efficient loading of the material into the ECR plasma is one of the key elements for optimizing the ion beam production. High-fidelity simulations provide a means to understanding the deposition of uncaptured metal atoms along the walls. This information would help to optimize the loading process into the ECR plasma. We are currently extending the plasma simulation framework VORPAL with models to investigate effective loading of heavy metals into ECR ion source via alternate mechanisms, including vapor loading, ion sputtering and laser ablation. First results of the ion production for different loading scenarios are presented.